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On this undamaged side of the sarcophagus, Hercules retreats to the lion’s skin by losing a drink contest for Dionizes. | Credit: Emil Aladjem/Israel’s Anti -Office
In Israel, a 1700 Roman sarcophagus was found, depicting the legendary drink competition, the Israeli Antique Service (IAA) announced Monday (June 9).
Archaeologists unveiled an artifact that came to the second or third century, near the ancient Caesara city along the northwest coast of the country. The carved marble portrays a drink competition between the Hercules and Dionysus, the Greek wine and the god of party, which is equivalent to Bacchus in the Roman pantheon. Although similar scenes appear in mosaics from the same period, the find marks the first appearance of this particular story in the region.
“This sarcophagus is an extraordinary work of art” Mark AvrahamiIAA artistic preservation guide translated translated Video; “There are not many sarcophages, even in the world.”
The 1,700 -year -old sarcophagus was buried under the sand dune and split into pieces when archaeologists unveiled it as a series of city excavation. After the works were excavated, the Conservatives cleaned and collected parts to reveal the entire scene.
On one side of the continuous marble coffin depicts Hercules, depicted on a lion’s skin. “He is at the end of the competition, holding a cup of wine in the hand, and of course it is in this position, because the competition of Dionysus, the god of wine that no one can defeat has appeared,” said IAA archaeologist Noharas Shahar in the video.
Dionysus is shown as part of a joyous procession surrounded by satire, women’s followers, etc., wild God. “In this case, it seems that the figures not only celebrate – they actually accompany the dead on his last journey, when drinking and dancing are turned into a symbol of liberation and transition to life in another world,” said Shaharas a. a statement; “This sarcophagus offers an unusual perspective of the idea of death – not as the end, but as the beginning of a new road.”
An image of a damaged sarcophagus depicting a scene with Roman figures
How the marble sarcophagus overseen its preservation.
Excavation site view from air
Archaeologists found the sarcophagus at this excavation site behind the walls of ancient Caesara city.
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Archaeologists found a sarcophagus for the Caesareana, ancient city near the Mediterranean, walls, next to other marble panels with names on them. These discoveries show that Caesaria was not limited to its walls, and the surroundings were more densely populated and rich artifacts than before archaeologists thought, “Shahar said in a video.
“This is the idea that causes a discovery that reflects how life and faith was perceived in the Roman world,” the IAA CEO That is, Escusido The statement is said.
The sarcophagus is preserved in detail before it can be available publicly reviewed.