Dionysiac Thiasos - I
Dionysus is standing on a chariot drawn by two centaurs. The equilibrium of the wine god is unstable, and his right arm hugs the shoulders of a satyr who tries to support him. An upturned kantharos is in his right hand. A "parapetasma" is hanged behind the chariot hiding the background. A winged Erote is standing on the back of the older centaur playing a lyre held with his left hand with a "plektron". A panther is squatting under his paws. The younger centaur holds a pine branch. Two musician maenads march before Dionysus’ chariot: the first is a "aulistria", the second a "tympanistria". Their light dresses inflated by the wind form wide arches behind their heads. The next character is Silenus lying drunk on a chariot pulled by two mules. The chariot is driven by Pan who looks at his passenger turning his head. The procession is blocked by a mule fallen to the ground, and a satyr tries to raise the animal pulling it by the bit.
A tree separates this from the last scene depicting Pan dancing. In the foreground, between his goat legs, is carved a cist from which a snake comes. In the far right side a satyr observes the parade turning back his head; he holds a hunting stick, "lagobolon", with his lowered right hand and a wreath with the left.
The relief carved on the lid raise depicts a banquet. At the center Dionysus and Ariadne are lying in symmetrical position: the god holds a cup, Arianna, wearing chiton and cloak, a wreath. On both sides erotes are flying towards the couple. The characters behind Dionysus and Ariadne are Pan and Silenus. In the left corner a servant is busy to fuel the fire burning under a pot.
Roman marble sarcophagus
160 - 170 AD
Rome, Museo Nazionale Romano, Terme di Diocleziano
Dionysiac Thiasos - I
Dionysus is standing on a chariot drawn by two centaurs. The equilibrium of the wine god is unstable, and his right arm hugs the shoulders of a satyr who tries to support him. An upturned kantharos is in his right hand. A "parapetasma" is hanged behind the chariot hiding the background. A winged Erote is standing on the back of the older centaur playing a lyre held with his left hand with a "plektron". A panther is squatting under his paws. The younger centaur holds a pine branch. Two musician maenads march before Dionysus’ chariot: the first is a "aulistria", the second a "tympanistria". Their light dresses inflated by the wind form wide arches behind their heads. The next character is Silenus lying drunk on a chariot pulled by two mules. The chariot is driven by Pan who looks at his passenger turning his head. The procession is blocked by a mule fallen to the ground, and a satyr tries to raise the animal pulling it by the bit.
A tree separates this from the last scene depicting Pan dancing. In the foreground, between his goat legs, is carved a cist from which a snake comes. In the far right side a satyr observes the parade turning back his head; he holds a hunting stick, "lagobolon", with his lowered right hand and a wreath with the left.
The relief carved on the lid raise depicts a banquet. At the center Dionysus and Ariadne are lying in symmetrical position: the god holds a cup, Arianna, wearing chiton and cloak, a wreath. On both sides erotes are flying towards the couple. The characters behind Dionysus and Ariadne are Pan and Silenus. In the left corner a servant is busy to fuel the fire burning under a pot.
Roman marble sarcophagus
160 - 170 AD
Rome, Museo Nazionale Romano, Terme di Diocleziano