Sarcophagus of the Amazons
The Sarcophagus of the Amazons is a large Etruscan sarcophagus of an unknown artist, dated back to the third quarter of the 4th century BC and preserved in the National Archaeological Museum of Florence.
The painted alabaster sarcophagus dates back to 4th century BC (350-325 BC), a rare example of an ancient painting still preserving much of its extraordinary freshness.
The four sides of it are decorated with polychrome paintings depicting various dynamic fighting scenes of battling Greeks and Amazons.
The beautiful artifact represents an ancient Greek tradition of Amazonomachy.
Amazons were modeled on stories of self-confident women of steppe cultures who fought for glory and survival and enjoyed male companionship, but on terms that seemed extraordinary to the ancient Greeks.
The Sarcophagus of the Amazons was unearthed in the Etruscan town of Corneto (now Tarquinia, Italy) in 1869. Once, there was also another similar coffin (but without paintings), which was later lost.
Researchers believe the artifact was manufactured in Greece and shipped to Italy, still semi-finished.
The Greek artisans used the white limestone alabaster stone, a type that does not exist in Etruria, and other decoration features that have no comparison in the Etruscan context.
On the sarcophagus, there are two inscriptions in Etruscan language: a large one on the slope of the lid bears the name of the deceased "Ramtha Huzcnai," the other also bears her name with a few additions and is located on one of the long sides of the chest.
(71 x 194 x 62cm)
