Relief with the underworld

Excavated in 1740 by cardinal Ottobuoni (Helbig). Vatican info says: "rinvenuto nel 1732 a Ostia e quindi murato nell'Episcopio, da dove fu tolto per volontà del Card. Pallotta".
Date: middle of the second century AD. W. 1.06, h. 0.95.

A marble relief with underworld divinities: the enthroned Hades holding a sceptre with Cerberus, and Persephone holding a torch. On the left a winged figure holding a torch (Hymenaeus? Thanatos?), on the right a female figure holding an amphora (the deceased? a Danaid?). The sistrum in her right hand is a modern addition. The concave shape of the relief suggests it comes from a niche in a tomb.

Inv. nr. 1137. Amelung II, nr. 6. Helbig nr. 253. Photo: Vatican Museums. Vatican Museums info.