Endymion sarcophagus

Excavated in 1831-1834, bought from Innocenti in 1887-1888. Formerly in the Villa Pacca, Rome.
Date: c. 150-175 AD. W. 1.85, h. 0.53, d. 0.54 (sarcophagus without the lid).

On one photo a lid can be seen on this sarcophagus. It is no longer on display, but it is not really clear what happened to it. It carries an inscription in a frame, carried by winged victories that are flanked by masks:

D(is) M(anibus) AVRELIO LVCANO GRATVS CAES(ARIS) ET SVLPICIA LASCIBA PARENTES FILIO DVLCISSIMO

To the gods of the underworld. For Aurelius Lucanus. Gratus (slave) of the Emperor and Sulpicia Lasciva, parents, for their dearest son.

The shepherd Endymion was a lover of Selene, goddess of the moon. The relief is flanked by two figures of Eros-Thanatos, leaning on an upside-down torch. In the left half Endymion is sleeping, holding a shepherd's staff. To make him sleep, Hypnos, holding a pine branch, pours poppy-juice over him from a horn. From the right Selene is approaching in a chariot, admiring Endymion. On her head is a moon crescent. She is preceded by two winged cupids, one holding a torch.

In the right half a winged goddess holding a torch stretches out her right hand to one of the horses pulling the chariot, on which stands another winged cupid. At the far right is a seated shepherd patting a dog, below a goat and a sheep.

Poulsen 1951, cat. nr. 784. Inv. nr. 848. Inscription CIL XIV, 662. EDR151440. Arachne 8889. Photos: Arachne and Flickr, AncientDigitalMaps.