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Three Lead Coffins from Palestine

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 December 2013

M. Avi-Yonah
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Extract

The writer has been recently given the opportunity to study three lead coffins, ornamented in relief, now in the Palestine Museum, Jerusalem. They are as yet unpublished.

No. 1.—Inventory, Dept. of Antiquities (Part M), No. 1080, entry dated January 13, 1928. According to a report made to the Department it was discovered in 1923 during the repair of a road from Acre to Beirut, near the village of Ez-Zîb. It was found in one of a group of fourteen tombs opened up accidentally during the work. The coffin was found in a much-damaged state and conveyed first to the local museum, Acre, and then to its present place.

Description. What remains of the coffin is in six fragments:— (a) A short side, measuring 24 by 35 cm. It is decorated with four columns of the Corinthian order with simplified capitals. The shafts of the columns have parallel spiral flutings for the upper two-thirds of their length (12 cm. fluted, 6 cm. plain).

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Hellenic Studies , Volume 50 , Issue 2 , November 1930 , pp. 300 - 312
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies 1930

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References

1 I would like here to record my obligation to the Director, Department of Antiquities, for permission to publish this material; to the officials of the Department, and especially to Dr. L. A. Mayer for his unfailing courtesy and helpfulness.

2 Ez-Zîb is a village on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, not far from Tyre and Sidon. It is generally identified with Ecdippa or Ecdippon (Jos., B.J. I. 13, 4Google Scholar), also called Actippus or Arce (Jos., Ant. V. 1, 22Google Scholar), and the Biblical Achzib (Judges i, 31; Joshua xix, 29) Cf. P.E.F., Survey W. Palestine, Memoirs, I. pp. 155, 193.

3 All the other tombs were found empty, save for some glass and pottery objects.

4 They seem to be of the Eastern type of the capitals in the Sidamara group. Cf. Lawrence, , ‘Sarcophagus at Lanuvium,’ Amer. Journ. Arch., 1928, p. 421.Google Scholar

5 In twisted columns a symmetrical arrangement is more usual. For examples of parallel flutings see Robert, , Sark. Reliefs, III, 2Google Scholar, Pl. LX; Dalton, , Catal. Mus. Alex. p. 96Google Scholar, No. 476; Hill, , Catalogue of Lycia (Coins), Pl. XXII, 11Google Scholar; Waddington, , Recueil des monnaies grecques, ď Asie Min., I, 1, p. 163Google Scholar, No. 19; Montfaucon, , Ľ Antiq. expliq., II, Pl. XIV, 7.Google Scholar

6 This curved staff is the pedum, the attribute common to Pan and the shepherds. Cf. Reinach, S., Répertoire des reliefs, III. 320, 389Google Scholar; Répertoire des vases, I, 446, 463; II, 363.

7 This type of Pan is a late Hellenistic variety. The animal cannot be clearly distinguished: it might be a dog or a hare (for both there are parallels; cf. Roscher, Lexikon der Mythol. s.v. ‘Pan,’ col. 1470); but it is most likely a kid Pan is dragging to the sacrifice (cf. Michaelis, , Ancient Marbles in Great Britain, p. 388Google Scholar, No. 266; Gerhard, Antike Bildwerke, Pl. 112, X; Imhoff-Blumer, , Griech. Münzen, p. 669Google Scholar, No. 429, Pl. X, 2). The posture itself goes back to the representations of a Maenad with the kid she has slain (cf. the Neo-Attic vase in the Louvre; Gardner, , Handbook of Greek Sculpture, 1905, p. 504Google Scholar).

8 The Gorgon belongs to the ‘pathetic’ variation of the ‘beautiful’ type, characteristic for the Hellenistic and late periods (cf. Roscher, op. cit., s.v. ‘Gorgo’). The type occurs also on two second century sarcophagi from Sidon, now in Constantinople (Mendel, , Catal. sculpt. Musée imp. ottoman, Vol. I, p. 77Google Scholar).

9 Cf. the knot of snakes sometimes formed beneath the chin of the Gorgon (Watzinger, , Holzsarkophage, p. 61Google Scholar, No. 2, i, k, l, m, from Kertch). The outer marked circle might be a degenerated form of the scaly background (representing the aegis) found e.g. on two Sidonian sarcophagi of the second century A.D. (Mendel, op. cit., p. 118).

10 Perrot-Chipiez, , Art of Phoenicia, I, p. 183.Google Scholar

11 Watzinger, , Holzsarkophage, 6641Google Scholar, No. 21, p. 19, bedding the dead on a couch of olive, bay or vine leaves; p. 20, olive or bay wreaths for sepulchral uses.

12 Cf. Cagnat, , Manuel ď archéologie romaine, II, 615Google Scholar; Reinach, , Rép. Reliefs, II, 180Google Scholar; Macchioro, , ‘Il simbolismo nelle figurazioni sepolcrali romane’ (in Memorie dell' Accad. di Napoli, I (1911), p. 11–143)Google Scholar.

13 Polyb. XVI, 18—XXVIII, 1; Jos., Ant. XV, 10, 3Google Scholar; B.J. I, 21, 3; III, 10, 7; Steph. Byz. s.v. Πανιας and Πανια; Solin. XXV, 1.

14 Cf. the Gymnasium of Priene, Kohl's restoration in Kohl, , Kasr Firaun, p. 29.Google Scholar

15 Coins of Hadrian and Pius showing Aelia-Capitolina temple (issued after A.D. 136). For examples of architectural remains dating from A.D. 150 to 211 see Kohl-Watzinger, , Synagogen in Galilāa, note to p. 148.Google Scholar

16 Kohl-Watzinger, op. cit., p. 37 (Tell Hum); p. 51 (i) (Keraze); p. 84 (Meron); p. 118 (ed-Dikke). Cf. their reconstruction of Tell Hum.

17 Coin of Isaura of Caracalla (Hill, , Catal. of Lycaonia, Isauria, etc., Pl. II, 10Google Scholar); two coins of Elagabal: of Byblos (Perrot-Chipiez, op. cit., I. 129) and of Tripolis (Phoenicia), which Chapot (La colonne torse, p. 115 = Donaldson, , Architectura numismatica, p. 102Google Scholar, No. 29) wrongly thinks to represent some fantastic composition.

18 Renan, , Mission en Phénicie, p. 427Google Scholar, Pl. 60 = Krauss, op. cit., I, p. 236, Fig. 191 (now in Constantinople).

19 Domaszewski, and Brünnow, , Provincia Arabia, III. p. 99Google Scholar (Tomb of Hamrath, es-Suŵêda); Tombs of Kings, Jerusalem; Tomb of Absalom, Jerusalem; Necropolis of Khalda (Heldua), (de Saulcy, Voyage autour de la mer morte, Pl. III); and Jewish ossuaries.

20 Dussaud, , Notes de la mythologie syrienne, pp. 69Google Scholar, 90, Figs. 19, 21.

21 Butler, , American Expedition Central Syria, Architecture, p. 33Google Scholar; Domaszewski and Brünnow, op. cit., I. p. 156, Fig. 174.

22 Cf. Strzygowski, Mschatta.

23 Cagnat, op. cit., I. pp. 275–76, Figs. 142–43.

24 Watzinger, op. cit., p. 45 sq., and p. 90, No. 27 (p. 4, ibid.) shows a small row of columns similar to these in the Tomb of Kings, Jerusalem, and the small columns flanking the windows in Syrian architecture (Kohl-Watzinger, op. cit., p. 8, Tell Hum).

25 Cf. Hamdi Bey and Th. Reinach, Nécropole royale à Sidon; Contenau, Ľ art ď Asie occidentale.

26 Altmann, , Grabaltäre, p. 136Google Scholar sqq.

27 Th. Reinach, Mon. Piot, IX; Strzygowski, , Orient oder Rom, p. 46Google Scholar sq.; J.H.S. XXVII (1907), p. 111 sq. Cf. Rodenwaldt, , Säulensarkophage in Rōm. Mitt. 1923.Google Scholar

28 Schrader, , Reallexikon der Indogerm. Altertumskunde, p. 31Google Scholar; Gruppe, , Gr. Mythologie, pp. 897–98Google Scholar. For antecedents in Egypt cf. Amelineau, , Rev. de ľhist. des religions, XXVI, 2 (1905), p. 31Google Scholar: in Babylonia, , Jastrow, , Religion Babyloniens, II, p. 776.Google Scholar

29 Schröder, , Studien zu den Grabdenkmalern der röm. Kaiserzeit, Bonn. Jahrb. CVIII–CIX (1902), pp. 46–79Google Scholar; Reinach, , Reliefs, I, 387Google Scholar, II, 299, 305, 320, 415; Clarac, Musée, Pl. 223, No. 75; Pfuhl, in Jahrb. XX (1905), p. 55Google Scholar, No. 30, Fig. 11.

30 Its Babylonian prototype is the vase of Gudea; cf. Sarzec, Découvertes en Chaldée, Pl. XLIV.

31 Plato, Phaedo (the sacrifice of Socrates).

32 Grabaltäre, p. 136; he quotes Priene, p. 198; Magnesia, p. 135.

33 For similar cases see a Minoan gem (Evans, , J.H.S. XXI (1901), p. 141Google Scholar, Fig. 24) a candelabrum from Pompeii, half fluted and half plain (Daremberg-Saglio, Fig. 1088); a mausoleum from Algiers, also half-fluted, half-plain columns (Gsell, , Mon. antiq. de ľ Algérie, II. p. 94Google Scholar sq.); the Neuwied silver plate (one-third fluted, two-thirds plain); Reinach, , Reliefs, II. 83Google Scholar. A most interesting coincidence is the Byzantine church at Shefa’ Amr, not far from Ez-Zîb, , where the same type and proportion are observed (P.E.F., Survey W. Palestine, Memoirs, I. p. 342)Google Scholar. Cf. further a coin of Gallienus from Eumenia (Head, , Catal. of Phrygia, Pl. XXVII, 13Google Scholar) with the statue of Artemis of Ephesus, which indicates a connexion of this basal portion distinguished from the rest of the column with the sculptured columns of Ephesus.

34 Dalton, O.M., Handbook of Byz. Archaeology; Kauffmann, , Chr. Archäologie, pp. 482Google Scholar, 498; Cabrol, Dictionn. archéol. chrétienne, s.v. ‘Colonne.’

35 Assyrian: Perrot-Chipiez, , Assyria, I, p. 278Google Scholar; II, p. 353. Minoan: Fürtwangler, , Antike Gemmen, III, Pl. III, 27Google Scholar; Evans, , Annual Brit. School Athens, IX (1902–1903), pp. 7–8Google Scholar, fig. 3; Bossert, , Alt-Kreta, p. 28Google Scholar. Archaic Greece: Wiegand, , Die archaische Porosarchitectur der Acropolis zu Athen, p. 172Google Scholar. Classical Greece: apart from small objects (Chapot, op. cit.) the only case is the ‘Serpents Column’ at Constantinople (from Delphi).

36 Pl. LIV (out of 112 cases).

37 Chapot, , La colonne torse, pp. 114Google Scholar sq., 123. Cf. Mommsen, , R.G., V. p. 302Google Scholar note.

38 Niemann-Petersen, , Städte Pisidiens und Pamphyliens; Pisidia, pp. 95, 97.Google Scholar

39 Chapot, op. cit., p. 125.

40 Collignon, , Rev. de ľart ancienne et moderne, XIX (1906), p. 35.Google Scholar

41 E.g. the example in Mon. As. Min. Antiq., p. 188, is later than A.D. 212 because of the name Aurelius found on it, and its Christian character. Cf. J.R.S. XIV (1924), Pls. V, VI (from Cotiaeum), and ibid. XV (1925), p. 169.

42 Apamea, (Amer. Exped. Syria—Architecture, p. 55Google Scholar), second century A.D.; Inkhil (ibid. p. 314), end second century A.D.

43 Nabatean temple in (Sûr ibid., p. 429, D).

44 Umm-Wilât, (Princ. Exped. II, B, p. 68Google Scholar, Fig. 72; Basufân (ibid., p. 286); and fragments in the ‘episcopal palace,’ Bosra, . Princeton Exped., II. A, p. 286Google Scholar.

45 On a Chiusi coffin: Martha, , L'art étrusque, p. 343Google Scholar, figs. 236–7; Annali, 1864, Pl. A, B.; Durm, , Baukunst der Römer, p. 151Google Scholar, Fig. 179, no. 3.

46 In Pompeii and Baalbek (Wiegand, , Jahrb. XXIX (1914), p. 43Google Scholar sq., Figs. 4, 7, etc).

47 Loeb Collection of Arretine Pottery, Fig. 536, Pl. XIX. This pottery is dated roughly as previous to A.D. 60. Cf. Dragendorff, , Bonner Jahrb. XCVI (1895), Pl. V, 44Google Scholar; Hartwig, , Philologus, LVIII (N. Folge, XII, 1899), Pl. IV, p. 482Google Scholar; Pasqui, , Not. scavi (1896), p. 457.Google Scholar

48 Mon. Piot, V (1899), Pl. VIII, 2.

49 Altmann, , Grabaltäre, p. 45Google Scholar, fig. 32; p. 44, fig. 32. Cf. the funeral monument of Volusius Diodorus assigned by Chapot, op. cit., p. 93, to A.D. 55.

50 Altmann, op. cit., No. 183, p. 153, fig. 124.

51 Ibid., No. 203; and a monument of a soldier of the Leg. XXI Claudia (and therefore erected between A.D. 42 and the time of Vespasian), who was certainly not an Oriental: Liebl, , Wiener Studien, XXIV, p. 311.Google Scholar

52 Weynand, in Westd. Zeitschrift, XVII (1898), Pl. 12, p. 367Google Scholar, and in Bonner Jahrb. CVIII–CIX (1901–2), pp. 185–238.

53 A tablet dedicated to Pius, Antoninus (J.R.S. II (1912), p. 129Google Scholar; Reinach, , Reliefs, II, 449, 3Google Scholar; C.I.L. VII, 1088).

54 Dated A.D. 169, viz. the Melfi, sarcophagus: Jahrb. XXVIII, pp. 277 sq.Google Scholar: Delbrück, Ant. Denkmäler, III, Pls. 22–24.

55 J.R.S. 1917, p. 20.

56 Springer, , Handb, (6th ed.); I, pp. 135, 240Google Scholar; Chapot, op. cit., p. 76. Cf. the connexion pointed out by Strzygowski, between the arcades of the Sidamara sarcophagi and the Pompeian theatre scene as shown on paintings of the fourth style (J.H.S., XXVII, p. 119)Google Scholar.

57 Reinach, Th., Mon. Piot, IX, p. 189.Google Scholar

58 Chapot in his Groupe de comparaisons gives examples from Central Africa, Northern Europe and Mexico; places which hardly admit mutual influences (op. cit., pp. 20–33).

59 Wiegand, , Jahrb. 1914, pp. 61, 62.Google Scholar

60 Butler, , Architecture, p. 49.Google Scholar

61 Wiegend, , Jahrb. 1914, p. 63 sq.Google Scholar

62 For the later development of the spiral column cf. Cabrol, op. cit., Fasc. XXXI, s.v. ‘Colonne,’ p. 2295, where copious references are given for works of the third to seventh century A.D.

63 Courbaud, , Le bas-relief romain, p. 375 sq.Google Scholar

64 Cf. Curtius, , Nachr. der Univ. & Kōnigl. Gesellschaft, Göttingen (1861), pp. 361–90.Google Scholar

65 E.g. support of statues: Collignon, , Sculpture grecque, I, pp. 349, 350Google Scholar, and Panathenaic amphorae. Columns to mark tombs: Ilias XI, 371, 372; Paus. IX, 307.

66 Dion, 69, 4. Chapot, p. 146, commits the same mistake.

67 Brescello, (N. Italy), Bollet. corrisp. archeol. 1863, pp. 57–58Google Scholar = Arch. Zeitung, XXII, 149, 14; Modena, , Arch. Zeitung, XXV. 89 (discov. 1849)Google Scholar; and Kraus, , Christl. Kunst, I, p. 236 (discov. 1866)Google Scholar; Catania, , Not. degli scavi (1915), pp. 215–25Google Scholar; (1918), pp. 53–71, Figs. 12, 13; Bull. Inst. 1833, pp. 172–76 = Jahrb. XXXVI, p. 192. A fragment in the Louvre with a Gorgon's head is mentioned in Jahrb. XIX, p. 160, No. 69Google Scholar. Cf. Cochet, , Mémoire sur les cercueils de plomb dans ľ antiquité et au moyen âge, 1869Google Scholar, and Hofmann, K. B., Das Blei bei den Vōlkern des Altertums, 1885.Google Scholar

68 Arles; Rossi, , Bull. 1886, p. 76Google Scholar; 1873, p. 77.

69 See below, note 81.

70 Voyage en Syrie et autour de la Mer Morte, Pls. XXI, XXII (Fig. p. 24).

71 Dussaud, , Mon. palest., p. 42Google Scholar, No. 26; de Saulcy, op. cit. Pls. XXXI and XXXII.

72 Reinach, S., Catal. du musée impérial ď antiq. (1882), p. 69Google Scholar, No. 622.

73 Joubin, A., Musée imp. ottoman: Monum. funéraires, Catal. sommaire, ed. 2e (1898), p. 22Google Scholar, No. 6.

74 Renan, , Mission en Phénicie, p. 427Google Scholar, Pl. LX. This sarcophagus shows a monogram (Christian) and is assigned by Renan tentatively to the third century A.D. Kraus thinks, because of the monogram, that the fourth century A.D. is a safer date.

75 Perrot-Chipiez, , Phoenicia, I, p. 183.Google Scholar

76 Based on John XV, 5.

77 Cf. Grousset, , Étude sur les sarcophages (École française à Rome), 42Google Scholar; Wilpert, , Pitture di catacombi. For Jewish use of pagan symbols see Kohl-Watzinger, p. 199Google Scholar, and the chambers painted in the Vigna Rondanini by the Jewish painter Eudoxius, The Tunis cup mentioned on p. 310 seems to be an exception.

78 The photograph shows the right side and the middle of the long side; the part to the left of the second crossing of the ropes corresponds exactly to the part on the right of the crossing on the right, which is shown.

79 Strzygowski, , Orient oder Rom., p. 11 sq.Google Scholar

80 Overbeck, , Pompeii, p. 620.Google Scholar

81 Kraus, , Christl. Kunst, L., p. 236.Google Scholar

82 Scheftelowitz, , Beligionsgesch. Versuche und Arbeiten, XII, 2.Google Scholar Cf. the Hercules knot. and the synagogue of ed-Dikke (Kohl-Watzinger).

83 S.v. ‘Anges,’ p. 2118, Figs. 642–3.

84 Reinach, , Reliefs, II, 369, III, 66Google Scholar; Clarac, Musée, Pl. 639.

85 Wilpert, op. cit., p. 35, Fig. 2, Tav. 53, 148 (of the third and fourth century A.D.).

86 Kraus, , Christl. Kunst, I. 122.Google Scholar

87 Ramsay, , Phrygia, p. 701Google Scholar; J.R.S., 1928, p. 31, Pl. II.

88 The coffin cannot be Jewish; there could be no Jewish settlement or even wealthy individuals so near Jerusalem in the third century, considering the Roman policy in this respect.