Collection Item: Sarcophagus

Basic info

Collection
Archaeology
Object name
Sarcophagus
Inscribed object
Object category
Roman
Description
Stone sarchpoagus with lid. Inscribed and decorated with two figures on either side of the inscription. Eboracum describes it as 'Coffin of milstone grit, 7ft 4ins by 1 ft 11ins by 2ft 6ins, with a gabled lid 12ins high. The inscription is in a sunk panel on the face with ansae [handle-like shapes] in the form of diminutive peltae [crescent shaped shields] flanked by elegant, lightly draped amorini [cupid-like winged infants], each holding the peltae in one hand and an upright torch in the other. In the top corners of the border of the panel are cut D(IS) M(ANIBVS). The coffin had been reused to contain the gypsum burial of an adult male, while its elaborately carved and inscribed face has been buried in the sand and clay sub-soil. ET MAEMORIAE IVILAE VICTORINE QUAE VIXIT ANNOS XXVIIII MENSES II DIES XV ET CONSTANTIO QVI VIXIT ANNOS IIII DIES XXI MENSES XI SEPTIMIVS LVPIANVS C EX EVOC(ATUVS) CONVGI ET F[I]LLIO MEMORIAM POSSVIT 'To the spirits of the departed and to the memory of Julia Victorina, who lived 29 years, 2 months, 15 days, and to Constantius, who lived 4 years, 21 days, 11months, Septimius Lupianus, centurion, ex evocatus, placed this memorial to his wife and son.' Maemoriae: this spelling occurs elsewhere, but is not repeated when the word is used again. ... Centurio ex evocatus: when called back to service after serving his full time as a soldier in the Praetorian Guard or Urban Cohorts, Lupianus was promoted to the legionary centurionate.'
Production date start
71
Production date end
410
Period
Roman

More info

Identification

Object number
YORYM : 2007.6117
Number of objects
1
ID
10942

Physical Characteristics

Materials
Millstone grit (Whole)
Dimensions
Whole length 2,160.0 mm
Whole width 740.0 mm
Whole height 560.0 mm
Whole height 360.0 mm

Find spot

Place
York

Production

Technique
Carved