The Dionysian Afterlife II
The hope of a happy existence in a Dionysian afterlife. Two chariots drawn by a couple of centaurs bring Dionysus and Ariadne toward the center of the scene. On the left a centaur plays a string instrument while, on the right, another one pours wine from a horn inside a kantharos. On both sides the second centaur supports an "imago clipeata" (image inserted in a “tondo”) of a deceased wife and his husband. Other mythological characters are carved inside the scene: Eros, Pan, satyrs etc.
The theme of Ariadne's abandonment by Theseus and her rescue by Dionysus appears frequently in ancient art and literature, but was to prove even more inspirational for postclassical artists, in literature, the fine arts and music, especially opera, where she becomes a symbol of new life and hope after abandonment to despair and death. The myth of Ariadne gave hope to the couples separated by death to find in the otherworld a life similar to that of the gods. In the world of Dionysus, Ariadne is no longer alone: the god is not a simple comforter, he dispenses happiness and serenity. This mythical metaphor would be very suitable to emphasize the transition from an earthly life full of troubles to another happy existence in a Dionysian afterlife. These images are therefore open to different interpretations. They can be read as a consolation for the relatives, in the event that the deceased woman has found peace in death, as Ariadne, after long suffering; as a celebration of the conjugal love; as an expression of nostalgia from her husband; as a wish for a blessed life after death; or as a picture of a possible reunion of two lovers.
Source: Zanker P. & Ewald BC., “Vivere con i Miti. L’iconografia dei sarcogagi Romani”
Marble sarcophagus
Height 87 cm; length 217 cm
Ca. 230 AC
Former Borghese collection
Paris, Musée du Louvre – (Ma 1013)
The Dionysian Afterlife II
The hope of a happy existence in a Dionysian afterlife. Two chariots drawn by a couple of centaurs bring Dionysus and Ariadne toward the center of the scene. On the left a centaur plays a string instrument while, on the right, another one pours wine from a horn inside a kantharos. On both sides the second centaur supports an "imago clipeata" (image inserted in a “tondo”) of a deceased wife and his husband. Other mythological characters are carved inside the scene: Eros, Pan, satyrs etc.
The theme of Ariadne's abandonment by Theseus and her rescue by Dionysus appears frequently in ancient art and literature, but was to prove even more inspirational for postclassical artists, in literature, the fine arts and music, especially opera, where she becomes a symbol of new life and hope after abandonment to despair and death. The myth of Ariadne gave hope to the couples separated by death to find in the otherworld a life similar to that of the gods. In the world of Dionysus, Ariadne is no longer alone: the god is not a simple comforter, he dispenses happiness and serenity. This mythical metaphor would be very suitable to emphasize the transition from an earthly life full of troubles to another happy existence in a Dionysian afterlife. These images are therefore open to different interpretations. They can be read as a consolation for the relatives, in the event that the deceased woman has found peace in death, as Ariadne, after long suffering; as a celebration of the conjugal love; as an expression of nostalgia from her husband; as a wish for a blessed life after death; or as a picture of a possible reunion of two lovers.
Source: Zanker P. & Ewald BC., “Vivere con i Miti. L’iconografia dei sarcogagi Romani”
Marble sarcophagus
Height 87 cm; length 217 cm
Ca. 230 AC
Former Borghese collection
Paris, Musée du Louvre – (Ma 1013)