Sarcophagus of a child with playing children

Excavated in 1825 by Pietro and Felice Cartoni near San Ercolano. Bought in 1865.
Date: third century AD. W. 1.10, h. 0.42, d. 0.42.

On the lid is an inscription carried by two winged cupids, carrying bows and quivers, and flanked by two masks:

D(is) M(anibus) L(ucio) AEMILIO DAPHNO POMP TINA VIXIT ANN(is) IIII D(iebus) VI LIVIA DAPHNE FIL(io) DVLCISSIMO

To the gods of the underworld. For Lucius Aemilius Daphnus, of the tribe Pomptina, who lived 4 years, 6 days. Livia Daphne for her dearest son.

On the sarcophagus are boys playing with nuts, in four groups of five, two, three and two. The first group, of which two sit on the ground, is flanked by a male and a female herm. The other groups are shown against an arcade.

Inv. nr. 1865,0103.7. Paschetto nr. 288. CIL XIV, 532. EDR147134. Photo: British Museum. BM info.