Sabinus Sarcophagus
The inscription on the tabula reads:
SABINO CO(n)IVGI
QUI VIXIT
ANN(os) XLIIII
M(enses) X D(ies) XIII
B(ene) M(erenti) IN PACE
“To Sabinus, the husband, who lived forty-four years, ten months, thirteen days, the man of merit, in peace”. The formula “IN PACE” refers the Peace in Christ.
The rectangular casket shows a balanced composition of scenes with Christian themes. In the center, though the inscription speaks of a man, an "orant" female figure is depicted praying between two saints. It is to be concluded that the sarcophagus had not been prepared for Sabinus, for whom it was destined to be used later. According to the inscription carved on the upper border of the casket,
"D(epositus) VI K(alendas) MAI",
Sabinus was buried the 26 April.
On the right side of the continuous frieze decorating the chest there are the miracles of Christ:
A) the healing of the blind man (Mark 10:46—52). Christ, youthful and beardless, holds a scroll in his left hand and touches the eyes of the man with his right. The man is half size. In the background is Peter with a gesture of penitence;
B) Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes (Matt. 14:13—21), with six (instead of the twelve) baskets that were left, and Christ blessing bread and fish;
C) the Raising of Lazarus (John 11 : 1—44) with the sepulchral “aedicula” forming the right corner of the frieze. Christ touches the mummy’s head with his staff, while the sister of Lazarus kneels before him.
On the left side:
A) the Miracle of Cana (John 2:1—11), with the six stone water jars;
B) Peter, taken prisoner by two men dressed as Roman soldiers with fur caps;
C) Peter’s Water Miracle, which leads to the baptism of his guards in prison.
These last scenes are inspired by the apocryphal Acts of Peter.
The lid is decorated with a small portrait, largely restored, next to a scene depicting a wild boar hunt
This sarcophagus is a good example of early Constantinian single frieze sarcophagi.
Source: Kurt Weitzmann (editor), “Age of Spirituality – Late Antique and Early Christian Art, Third to Seventh Century”
Marble sarcophagus
Casket: cm. 63 x 200 x 69
Lid: cm. 34 x 200 x 59
310 – 320 AD
Vatican Museums, Museo Pio Cristiano, inv. 31509
Sabinus Sarcophagus
The inscription on the tabula reads:
SABINO CO(n)IVGI
QUI VIXIT
ANN(os) XLIIII
M(enses) X D(ies) XIII
B(ene) M(erenti) IN PACE
“To Sabinus, the husband, who lived forty-four years, ten months, thirteen days, the man of merit, in peace”. The formula “IN PACE” refers the Peace in Christ.
The rectangular casket shows a balanced composition of scenes with Christian themes. In the center, though the inscription speaks of a man, an "orant" female figure is depicted praying between two saints. It is to be concluded that the sarcophagus had not been prepared for Sabinus, for whom it was destined to be used later. According to the inscription carved on the upper border of the casket,
"D(epositus) VI K(alendas) MAI",
Sabinus was buried the 26 April.
On the right side of the continuous frieze decorating the chest there are the miracles of Christ:
A) the healing of the blind man (Mark 10:46—52). Christ, youthful and beardless, holds a scroll in his left hand and touches the eyes of the man with his right. The man is half size. In the background is Peter with a gesture of penitence;
B) Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes (Matt. 14:13—21), with six (instead of the twelve) baskets that were left, and Christ blessing bread and fish;
C) the Raising of Lazarus (John 11 : 1—44) with the sepulchral “aedicula” forming the right corner of the frieze. Christ touches the mummy’s head with his staff, while the sister of Lazarus kneels before him.
On the left side:
A) the Miracle of Cana (John 2:1—11), with the six stone water jars;
B) Peter, taken prisoner by two men dressed as Roman soldiers with fur caps;
C) Peter’s Water Miracle, which leads to the baptism of his guards in prison.
These last scenes are inspired by the apocryphal Acts of Peter.
The lid is decorated with a small portrait, largely restored, next to a scene depicting a wild boar hunt
This sarcophagus is a good example of early Constantinian single frieze sarcophagi.
Source: Kurt Weitzmann (editor), “Age of Spirituality – Late Antique and Early Christian Art, Third to Seventh Century”
Marble sarcophagus
Casket: cm. 63 x 200 x 69
Lid: cm. 34 x 200 x 59
310 – 320 AD
Vatican Museums, Museo Pio Cristiano, inv. 31509