Romans and Barbarians: The Ludovisi sarcophagus

In the middle of the third century AD, a sarcophagus was created, which is known as Via Tiburtina Sarcophagus. It was discovered in 1621 near the Tiburtine Gate in Rome, and since for some time the artifact was kept in the collection of Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi, this name was also assigned to the sarcophagus. Today it can be seen in the residence of the Palazzo Altemps, which is part of the National Museum of Rome.

The height of the Ludovisi sarcophagus is 153 cm, it is made of marble and decorated with a complex high relief. The dense composition depicts figures of Roman soldiers and barbarians (probably Goths) standing close to each other. On the lid, which was damaged in 1945, the sculptor depicted the children of barbarians. In the very center of the front part is a Roman military commander sitting on a horse and probably depicting a person buried inside. His outstretched hand can symbolize a farewell to the world. On the forehead there is a barely noticeable X sign, which the researchers identified as the cross of the god Mithras. Such crosses were used by converts who were initiated during the mysteries of Mithras. This sign was common among the soldiers of Ancient Rome.

Although the barbarians are identified with the Goths, it is difficult to establish the ethnicity of the depicted figures, since there are no specific features. The battle is still raging in the upper part, the characters in the lower part are dying in agony. The main topics were the heroic struggle, the glorification of the hero, the victory of civilization over the barbarians. The work appeared shortly after the construction of the column of Marcus Aurelius in Rome, which contains similar relief figures. The composition turned out to be so voluminous that the elements are arranged in several layers.