Sarcophagus Depicting a Battle between Soldiers and Amazons (Warrior Women)

Sarcophagus Depicting a Battle between Soldiers and Amazons (Warrior Women)

Public Domain

Sarcophagus Depicting a Battle between Soldiers and Amazons (Warrior Women)
CultureRoman
Titles
  • Sarcophagus Depicting a Battle between Soldiers and Amazons (Warrior Women)
Date140–170 AD
MediumMarble
Dimensions40 1/2 × 91 1/2 × 50 1/2 in., 5511.5lb. (102.9 × 232.4 × 128.3 cm, 2500kg)
Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by the Agnes Cullen Arnold Endowment Fund in memory of Peter C. Marzio
Object number2006.35.A,.B
Current Location
The Audrey Jones Beck Building
104 Cullen Foundation Atrium
Exposé

Explore Further

Department
Antiquities
Description

This magnificent sarcophagus, designed as the final resting place of a Roman military commander, is decorated with a battle scene between soldiers and Amazons, the legendary warrior women of the ancient world. The standing figures are soldiers, wearing helmets, short tunics, and plates of body armor. The soldiers are armed with swords and protect themselves with round shields. The Amazons ride horses; their fallen sisters lay dead on the ground.


The four corners of the sarcophagus predict the battle's outcome. They are decorated with trophies composed of the Amazons' weapons and kneeling Amazon prisoners, hands bound behind their backs. The lid is designed in the shape of the roof of a Roman temple. Fine rows of vertical "tiles" culminate in lions' heads. The ends of the lid are decorated with round shields.


Several clues suggest that the owner of this sarcophagus was an important officer in the Roman army. The soldiers stand larger than life among the horses and their Amazon riders. Their knotted belts were the mark of high-ranking officers. The presence of trophies and prisoners indicates military victories.


ProvenancePrivate collection, Eastern Europe, 19th century; purchased by Pierre Sciclounoff, Geneva, 1960s–late-1980s; private collection, mid-1990s; [Phoenix Ancient Art, New York/Geneva, by at least 2003–2006]; purchased by MFAH, 2006.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Sarcophagus of a Youth
500–300 BC
Parian marble
2001.7.A,.B
Falcon-form Coffin with Grain Mummy
332–30 BC
Painted and gilded wood, grain, earth, linen, and wax
2006.280
Canopic Jar with Lid
1550–1069 BC
Limestone, pigment, and bitumen
31.52.1,.2
Shawabti Chest with Lid and Falcon
332–30 BC
Painted wood
31.110.A,.B,.C
Cinerary Urn
500–401 BC
Bronze
2004.2015.A,.B
Painted Wooden Coffin of the Sacred Ibis of Thoth
332–30 BC
Wood with polychrome decoration
2008.808
Model Boat
2061–1784 BC
Painted wood
31.74
Hawk Ornament for a Mummy Cover
664–30 BC
Egyptian faience
31.82