Don't mess with the cops

Not all remains of Ostia and Portus are surrounded by fences, some lie buried on private property. Inevitably now and again objects will turn up. In 2008 the owner of land near the Isola Sacra necropolis unearthed a sarcophagus and tried to sell it on the black market. He underestimated the knowledge, network and advanced equipment of the Guardia di Finanza, that can spot robbers from helicopters with night vision.

The sarcophagus was found in a curious position: lying on its back. Detailed investigation of the sarcophagus and the body inside showed that this was intentional. Is it due to lack of space in the tomb?

The discovery of the sarcophagus. Photo: Bondioli-Germoni-Rossi 2018, fig. 7.

The sarcophagus, without the lid, is 174.5 long, 0.44 high and 0.61 deep. It is made of marble from the Greek island Thasos (the columns in the Basilica Cristiana and the stored columns in the Tempio dei Fabri Navales are also made of marble from this island). On the front the nine Muses are depicted, flanking Athena. From left to right: Polyhymnia (sacred hymns), Calliope (epic poetry), Terpsichore (dance), Thalia (comedy), Urania (astronomy), Erato (love poetry), Euterpe (lyric poetry), Melpomene (tragedy), and Clio (history). Between Urania and Erato stands Athena, goddess of wisdom, presiding over the arts and literature. At the far right is Apollo, the leader of the Muses.

The sarcophagus of the Muses in the museum of Ostia. Photo: Wikimedia, Sailko.

The painted inscription on the lid has disappeared. To the left and right are lying figures of philosophers or poets. On the corners are theatrical masks. Pairs of philosophers are also depicted on the sides. Stylistically the sarcophagus has been dated to the third quarter of the second century.

Detail of the lid. Photo: Wikimedia, Sailko.

Detail of the left side. Photo: Wikimedia, Sailko.

Detail of the right side. Photo: Sindoni 2022, nr. 17.

Inside the sarcophagus the body of a child was found, five to six years old. The sex could not be determined, but the absence of earrings, common in graves for girls, suggests that it is a boy. Research of the bones and especially teeth showed that the health of the boy had always been precarious, even before birth - apparently the state of health of his mother during the pregnancy was also not good.

There had been bandages around the legs of the child. In the mouth a bronze coin for Charon was found (dated to the late first or early second century). Below the pelvis was an apotropaic, curved iron nail. Below the head were two golden rings, dated to the Antonine period. The first is a seal ring with a plaque in the form of a foot wearing a sandal. It carries the Greek inscription MVCTIK, which stands for mystikos, "initiated into the mysteries". The foot suggests the cult of Isis. The second ring has a double setting with emeralds.

The two golden rings. Photo: Germoni 2020, figs. 4-5.

The bronze coin for Charon. Photo: Bondioli 2018, fig. 14..

The curved iron nail. Photo: Bondioli 2018, fig. 13.

One mystery remains. The sarcophagus must obviously have been very expensive. In view of its size it was meant for an adult. But we can only guess why it was used for a nameless child and placed so awkwardly in the tomb.

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