Sarcophagus with a representation of a Dionysian retinue

Sarcophagus with the representation of the Dionysian procession The marble sarcophagus is a copy of the 2nd-century Roman sarcophagus in the collection of the Museo Nazionale Romano in Rome. The original sarcophagus was found in 1885 in a two-chamber tomb of the Pison family. The production of sarcophagi in Rome became widespread during the reign of Emperor Hadrian (117 - 138), influenced by a change in sepulchral practices: the use of inhumation instead of the previously common cremation. The sarcophagus discovered in 1885 belongs to the type of so-called Roman sarcophagi, adapted to be placed against a tomb wall; they were box-shaped and decorated on three sides. Roman sarcophagi were decorated with figural reliefs, often with mythological themes; Bacchic repertoire in the form of a procession of dancing figures was popular. The sarcophagus in Łańcut was made at the end of the 19th century in Rome by an unknown sculptor. It is in the shape of a rectangular box, has a profiled cornice and an isolated smooth strip at the bottom. On the three outer walls, a figural composition in relief depicting a Dionysian procession is carved against a recessed background. The procession begins on the left side wall with two maenads and a satyr walking and playing musical instruments. The front panel depicts four maenads playing musical instruments, in dancing poses, in pairs with a running satyr with a panther at his feet, a dancer holding the Dionysus cup, the idol Pan and a drunken sylph supported by the satyr. In the middle of these figures, there is a small quadrilateral altar with burning incense. The procession continues with three figures on the right sidewall: a dancing man holding a wine vessel, a menace with a dead goat in his hand, and a satyr with a horn-shaped wine vessel. The sarcophagus was probably purchased by Roman Potocki (1851-1915), the former owner of the Castle, in Italy. In the Museum it is exhibited in the Sculpture Gallery. Barbara Trojnar