SARCOPHAGUS WITH THE RAPE OF PERSEPHONE, 160-180 CE. GALLERIE DEGLI UFFIZI This splendid C2 CE sarcophagus in Pentelic marble begins and ends at both sides with Horæ, goddesses of the seasons. But the movement in this continuous scene goes rightward. The central conflict involves Athena, who is trying to dissuade Hades from kidnapping his niece. He's not interested. Persephone is swooning in his arms and an Eros flutters over her outstretched arm, as a sign that Hades is doing this for love. Below the chariot's rearing horses, the goddess Tellus, the Earth, is also raising a hand in dismay. In front of the chariot is Hermes Psychopompos, leader of souls to the Underworld. This subject was popular as a reference to circular time and the possibility of a return from death. To the left, Aphrodite is tugging at Athena's shield: love as the enemy of wisdom. Behind Aphrodite, two of Persephone's friends are objecting. At left is the chariot of Demeter, pulled by two fantastic serpents. She's in hot pursuit of her brother, but won't get to him in time to save her daughter from his clutches.
For #SarcophagusSaturday we have this marvellous #sarcophagus in the #Uffizi in #Florence, full of movement, showing the seizing of #Persephone by #Hades, a metaphor for the soul's journey to the #Underworld. This dates from 160-180 CE and comes from the #Medici collections. #AncientBluesky 🏺
