JERUSALEM, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Israeli archaeologists have discovered a rare, 1,700-year-old Roman-era marble coffin in the ancient Mediterranean city of Caesarea, the Israel Antiquities Authority said in a statement on Monday.
The coffin, known as a sarcophagus, features a detailed sculpted scene from mythology, depicting a drinking contest between Dionysus, the god of wine, and Hercules, the famous mythological hero.
At the center of the carving, Dionysus is shown lying on a lion skin and holding a cup, surrounded by lively figures from mythology, including Maenads, female followers of Dionysus, as well as satyrs, Hermes, Pan, and wild animals such as lions and tigers.
The carving appears to show Dionysus winning the contest, while Hercules is depicted as too drunk to stand.
According to the statement, it is the first time such a scene has been found on a burial coffin in the region.
While images of Dionysus and his followers are common on Roman sarcophagi from the second and third centuries AD, scenes of a drinking contest are often found in mosaics in the region, rather than on coffins.
In this case, the figures seem to be more than just celebratory and are shown accompanying the deceased on their final journey, the researchers said, adding that the drinking and dancing may symbolize freedom and the transition to the afterlife.
The sarcophagus was found just outside the known walls of ancient Caesarea, where newly discovered archaeological remains suggest the city was larger and more significant than previously believed. ■
