Sarcophagus of Aurelius Irenio and Aurelia Arpocratiana, with erotes (34A; inventory number reused after the disappearance of the head 34B)

Found near a tomb on the Isola Sacra.
Date: middle of the second century or Severan. Box: w. 1.24, h. 0.60, d. 0.61. Lid: w. 1.19, h. 0.38, d. 0.61.
The sarcophagus is decorated with erotes or children playing musical instruments, and wrestling in a palaestra with a herm of Bacchus-Dionysos. Above them are gorgoneia and garlands hanging down from animal skulls. On the edges of the lid are running animals and rosettes. On top of the lid is a reclining, deceased youth. Next to him is the inscription. It informs us that two siblings were buried inside. In view of the single reclining figure, the sarcophagus was not made especially for them.

SI QVIS EXTER IN HOC SARCOFAGO CORPVS POSV ERIT INFERET AERARIO POPV LI ((sestertium)) M(ilia) XX N(ummum) D(is) M(anibus) AVR(elio) IRENIONI QVI ET AMMONIANO ET AVR(eliae) ARPOCRATIANE FRATRIBVS

Arachne 1083666, 1083667. Helbig nr. 3130. Guida p. 76-77 nr. 28. Sindoni nr. 44. EDR101501. Photos: Wikimedia, Sailko and Arachne and ICCD E016226BIS, F001248.