Sarcophagus with scenes of battle between Romans and barbarians (the so-called Small Ludovisi Sarcophagus)

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The Small Ludovisi Sarcophagus boasts an impressive frontal relief depicting a dramatic scene of battle between Romans and barbarians, flanked by two winged victories standing triumphantly on either side. The victories are positioned atop two nude, crouching prisoners, adding to the sense of tension and power in the image. Repeated on the short sides of the sarcophagus in very low relief are scenes of a Roman horseman defeating three enemies, while a palm tree looming in the background serves as a potent symbol of victory. The figure style evident in the sculpture draws heavily from Hellenistic sculptural models, but is rendered in a distinctly Roman manner, as exemplified by the barbarian figure clad in Phrygian dress. The central image of the victorious commander, striking an emperor-like pose, suggests a typically Roman perspective on triumphant power. Inside the sarcophagus lies a soft cushion designed for the placement of the body, while a drainhole located on the left side indicates that it was repurposed as a fountain basin in a later period. The style of the relief bears a striking resemblance to the decoration found on Marcus Aurelius' column, allowing it to be dated with relative certainty to between 175-180 AD.