Tuesday, 13 August 2013

The Portonaccio Sarcophagus - Amazing Relic Of Rome

image credit: schizoform cc

It is strange to think that this sarcophagus is eighteen hundred years old, so vivid are the carvings on its sides. Who was buried inside is unknown, but there are facts that can be gleaned from the study of the ornate sculpting.

Housed in the National Museum of Rome, the sarcophagus is displayed in a darkened room under spotlights which show its decorative figures beautifully. It was discovered in 1931 near Via Tiburtina, in the eastern suburbs of Rome.

1 comment(s):

Classof65 said...

What a magnificent work of art! However, I could not tell which of the figures was supposed to be general for whom the work was done. And, who are the busts on the top corners, if not the general?