Stock Photo: Sarcophagus of Stilicone, 385 AD: Christ Teaching

Sarcophagus

Image Details

Photo ID
5474
Title
Sarcophagus of Stilicone, 385 AD: Christ Teaching
Caption
Christ teaching, with the apostles shown as philsophers. The scene is set against an architectural background and decorated with a border of swastikas and stylized flowers. Detail of the Sarcophagus of Stilicone (385 AD) in the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio, Milan, Italy. A magnificent work of Early Christian art, this sarcophagus is one of the few surviving elements from St. Ambrose's original basilica. It was carved during Ambrose's lifetime and its themes may have been suggested by the bishop himself. It still stands in its original location - the ambo was built around it. The tomb was probably commissioned by a high military official, who appears with his wife on the north side of the sarcophagus and again in a roundel on the lid. Their identities remain unknown; the name of the sarcophagus dates from the 18th century and is based on an erroneous tradition that it was made for Stilicone, a general who died in 408 in the service of Emperor Honorius. The sculptures on the sarcophagus are of exceptional quality, indicating they were carved by a Roman artist. It is called a "city gate sarcophagus" because of the prominent city walls and gates within the scenes.
Credit
Holly Hayes
Status
  All Rights Reserved
Date Created
May 12, 2008
Date Added
May 6, 2010
Last Updated
March 6, 2024
Coordinates
45.4624560° N, 9.1758370° E
Camera
Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
Focal Length
70 mm
ISO
1600
File Size
6.51 MB
Full Resolution
4000 x 2667 pixels

Image Location