This sarcophagus from the third century AD displays scenes from the life of the Greek hero, Achilles. Made from carved marble, its dimensions are approximately 2.24m in length, 1.22m in height, and 0.65m in width.
The main depiction on the central panel of the longer side shows Thetis, Achilles’ mother, handing over her son to Chiron, the centaur tutor. This carved scene displays the artist's successful use of relief and attention to detail in capturing the emotive quality of this critical moment in the hero's life.
On the shorter sides, the artist illustrates two other famous events from Achilles’ life: his hidden childhood in Scyros and his slaying of Troilus. These depictions also exhibit the precision, attention to detail, and a firm grasp on mythological literature that was characteristic of the Roman artistic approach during this period.
The remainder of the longer sides, including the corners, feature scenes from Achilles’ life that are less well-known. These are interspersed with decorative flora, frieze patterns, and wave motifs, pointing towards the aesthetic inclinations of the time.
This saga of Achilles’ life, from birth to death, serves not only as a mythic narrative but can also be understood as a symbolic representation of the human life cycle. This could be seen as a testament to the deceased whose remains were intended to be housed within the sarcophagus.
