File:Small Ludovisi Sarcophagus 05.jpg

English: Boncompagni Ludovisi Collection.

Fine-grained crystalline marble.

There are two sarcophagi in the Ludovisi Collection with representations of battle scenes: the 'Grand Ludovisi Sarcophagus" displayed in the Large Hall of the "Ludovisi Gaul" and this one, the "Small Ludovisi Sarcophagus", with a frontal relief dedpicting a scene of battle between Romans and barbarians between two winged victoriesm one on each corner, standing on two nude, crouching prisoners. The battle scenes are repeated in very low relief on the shorter sides of the sarcophagus: a Roman horseman is defeating three enemies, while the palm-tree in the background symbolises victory. The figure style draws upon Hellenistic sculptural models in a typically Roman way, as detected for example in the figure of the barbarian in Phrygian dress. The central image of the victorious commander in an emperor-like attitude hints to a typically Roman view of triumphing power. The interior of the sarcophagus is fashioned with a cushion for the placement of the body. A drain-hole in the left side of the sarcophagus indicates the re-use in a later period as a fountain-basin.

The style of relief is similar to that of the Column of Marcus Aurelius, and thus can be dated to AD 175-180.