Prometheus' Sarcophagus - I - a photo on Flickriver

This is the valuable sarcophagus known as the "Prometheus Sarcophagus". It was sculpted by a workshop in Rome in the very early years of the 4th century AD, when the great anti-Christian persecution ordered by Diocletian began. The carved scene is a vigorous affirmation of paganism: in the crowded composition, divinities of every rank (Zeus, Hera, Hermes, Poseidon, Eros, Psyche, the workshop of Hephaestus and a representation of the Underworld) crowd around the protagonist, the Titan Prometheus portrayed in the center, seated, intent on observing his creature: the man, still an inert clay puppet, rigidly stretched out at his feet. In a prominent position there are Hera and Zeus in the act of giving Hermes the money with which to redeem the man's life from Hades. Next to Hermes, there is Poseidon with the trident; at the two corners, at the top, Selene's chariot and Apollo's chariot. Between Zeus and the man, finally, Eros and some Erotes push Psyche, the soul, to give life to the first human being.

In his book on Greek Myths Apollodorus narrates the entire story of Prometheus. In 1.7.1-45 he writes:

« Προμηθεὺς δὲ ἐξ ὕδατος καὶ γῆς ἀνθρώπους πλάσας
ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς καὶ πῦρ, λάθρᾳ Διὸς ἐν νάρθηκι
κρύψας. ὡς δὲ ἤσθετο Ζεύς, ἐπέταξεν Ἡφαίστῳ τῷ
Καυκάσῳ ὄρει τὸ σῶμα αὐτοῦ προσηλῶσαι: τοῦτο δὲ
Σκυθικὸν ὄρος ἐστίν. ἐν δὴ τούτῳ προσηλωθεὶς
Προμηθεὺς πολλῶν ἐτῶν ἀριθμὸν ἐδέδετο: καθ᾽
ἑκάστην δὲ ἡμέραν ἀετὸς ἐφιπτάμενος αὐτῷ τοὺς
λοβοὺς ἐνέμετο τοῦ ἥπατος αὐξανομένου διὰ νυκτός.
καὶ Προμηθεὺς μὲν πυρὸς κλαπέντος δίκην ἔτινε
ταύτην, μέχρις Ἡρακλῆς αὐτὸν ὕστερον ἔλυσεν, ὡς ἐν
τοῖς καθ᾽ Ἡρακλέα δηλώσομεν»

Prometheus moulded men out of water and earth and gave
them also fire, which, unknown to Zeus, he had hidden in a
stalk of fennel. But when Zeus learned of it, he ordered
Hephaestus to nail his body to Mount Caucasus, which is a
Scythian mountain. On it Prometheus was nailed and kept
bound for many years. Every day an eagle swooped on him and
devoured the lobes of his liver, which grew by night. That was
the penalty that Prometheus paid for the theft of fire until
Hercules afterwards released him, as we shall show in dealing
with Hercules.

Source: Bologna University: La Creazione dell'Uomo

White marble sarcophagus with high relief depictions
Early IV century AD
From Puteoli,
Naples, National Archaeological Museum – Inv. no. 6705

Taken on: April 21, 2023

Tags:

Prometheus. Prometeo

Cupids

Eroti

Amorini

Zeus

Hera

Hermes

Poseidon

Poseidone

Eros

Psyche

Hephaestus

Efesto. Puteoli

pozzuoli

Roman art

arte romana

Roman Empire

Impero Romano

Napoli

Museo Archeologico Nazionale

Inv. 6705

6705

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Sets appears in: • Napoli - N.A.M. • Gods and Goddesses more » • Greek Mythology • Sarcophagi • Roman Funerary Art • Roman Scolptures « less

Groups appears in: • Greek Mythology • Late Antiquity more » • Roman Empire • The Ancient World • World Archaeology & Arts/ΑΡΧΑΙΟΛΟΓΙΑ&ΤΕΧΝΕΣ-Rea • Ancient Greek and Roman Art • ANTICANDO!!!(P2/Aw3)Please,only Subject ANCIENT • Heritage Key • Photos at the Museum • Grave Matter • ANCIENT WORLD « less

Camera: Nikon Z 7, f/13.0, 1/100 sec, 26mm, ISO 4000 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon Z 7
Lens:	24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8
Aperture:	f/13.0
Exposure Time:	0.01 sec (1/100)
Focal Length:	26mm
ISO:	4000
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Manual
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Gain Control:	High gain up
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Software:	Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic 14.2 (Macintosh)
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