Front of Sarcophagus with the Labours of Hercules

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On the front of the sarcophagus, nine labors of Hercules are depicted in chronological order as established by ancient texts: the Nemean lion's defeat, combat with the Lernaean Hydra and the Erymanthian boar, capture of the Cerynean hind, hunt for the Stymphalian birds, victory over Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons, cleaning of the Augean stables, capture of the Cretan bull, and taming of King Diomedes' mares. At the composition's center is Hercules sculpted in mid-action, shooting arrows at the Stymphalian birds - his face is that of the deceased individual buried inside. The identification with Hercules, a god symbolizing victory over death, emphasizes the virtues cultivated by the deceased during life. The portrait, less finely executed than the rest of the work, may have been created between AD 240-250.