Question 1

Why would the central picture of Christ be with Peter and Paul next to him.  It seems more likely to be a depiction of Christ teaching in the temple when he was a young boy.

Accepted Answer

This is called the Traditio Legis.  It's a common iconography in early Christian Art.

Question 2

To me it seems an unchristian thing to be standing on the heads of others' gods to show off or show superiority in some way. Am I mistaken ?

Accepted Answer

We tend to cultivate this idea that Christianity is a religion of the meek and tolerant (e.g.: Nietzche's criticism), but in fact Christianity embraces a very broad spectrum of religious beliefs and approaches. That was especially true, it turns out, of a 4th century church that was still evolving, and was flirting with state power and politics.
This is from Wikipedia's page on christianity in the fourth century:
"Constantine's sons banned pagan State religious sacrifices in 341 but did not close the temples. Although all State temples in all cities were ordered shut in 356, there is evidence that traditional sacrifices continued."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_the_4th_century

Question 3

Would this have originally been placed in the catacombs or in a church?

Accepted Answer

Because this was made after the Edict of Milan (313 AD) it would have most likely been in a church.  Catacombs were used when Christianity was outlawed and they had to hide their religion and their buried dead.

Question 4

is this the real or replica version?

Accepted Answer

actually, the one that is shown in the video is a replica version. as far as I understand, it was/is not allowed to photograph or videotape the original sarcophagus.

Question 5

I really wish that they had commented more on the pillars and arches around the figures. Why the alternating patterns? Were the figures there to create more three dimensionality?

Accepted Answer

The purpose of the pillars and arches was primarily to separate each scene and register.
For more info on this technique, see the earlier talk in Art History on "Sumerian Art: Great Lyre. -
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-history/art-history-400-c-e--ancient-cultures-1/ancient-near-east/v/great-lyre-from-the--king-s-grave---c--2650-2550-b-c-e

Question 6

Above the upper register there is some text running the length of the sarcophagus. What is the inscription and language? What does is the translation?

On the top of the sarcophagus there are some objects, one looks like a scrap of scripture, the other possible a cushion, what are those objects?

Accepted Answer

The inscription is in Latin, and it gives information about Junius Bassus. For example, it says that Junius converted to Christianity shortly before his death. Hope that helps :)

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcophagus_of_Junius_Bassus

Question 7

What kind of tools would they use to carve these reliefs ?

Accepted Answer

Carving technique is explained in this video:
http://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-history/introduction-to-art-history/v/quarrying-and-carving-marble

Question 8

Is a sarcophagus the same as a tomb?

Accepted Answer

A sarcophagus could also be a large stone container into which a generally wood coffin containing the body would be placed.  The sarcophagus would then be placed in a burial chamber or tomb.  The sarcophagus was generally carved or painted, and especially in pagan cultures, often with protective spells and/or curses.

Question 9

What/who is the bearded depiction at Christ's feet? What is it holding? Perhaps cloth to rub Christ's feet? (around 1:16)

Accepted Answer

They say who it is in the explanation, it is a Pagan river God, showing the Kingly nature of Christ over all things.

Course: Medieval Europe + Byzantine > Unit 4

Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus

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