skip to content

Museum of Classical Archaeology Databases

Belvedere Sarcophagus

This deep relief is the side panel of a large sarcophagus. The violent action and subject matter, a battle between goddesses and giants set in a rocky landscape, is reminiscent of the large frieze of the Altar of Zeus from Pergamon.

It is unusual that no male gods are shown in the battle. The goddesses can be identified on the basis of their attributes: Artemis on the left has a bow and hunting dog, and Hekate, on the other side of the snake-legged giant, holds flaming torches.

The relief is not quite as it was when made: there are graffiti, with the date 1693 scratched into the middle of the left hand slab, and many of the fine details are restorations

Number: 
499
Material: 
Marble
Location of Original: 

Rome, Vatican, Cortile del Belvedere 38

Size: 
1.08 x 2.55m
References: 

Amelung: Catalogue of the Vatican Museum II (1908), 94, pl. 10

Date: 
c.130-150 CE

Search Casts

Use our search tools to search the Casts Archive

Museum of Classical Archaeology, Cambridge

Every cast tells two stories.
One ancient. One modern.

Admission is free.

We are open

Opening hours

Tues-Fri: 11am-2pm
Sat: 2-5pm (Univ. term-time only)
Sun & Mon: Closed

Closed on Bank Holiday Mondays

Visit us

Museum of Classical Archaeology
Faculty of Classics
Sidgwick Avenue
Cambridge
CB3 9DA

Get in touch

Tel. +44 (0)1223 330402
Email

Facebook Twitter

For an explanation of what personal information we gather when you visit the University’s website and details of how that information is used please see the following University Privacy policy:

https://www.cam.ac.uk/about-this-site/privacy-policy

Copyright statement

All images and material on our websites are ©Museum of Classical Archaeology, University of Cambridge unless otherwise stated. Permission is required to reproduce our images.

See also our Copyright Notice and Take Down Policy.

Important Information

Museum of Classical Archaeology Web Accessibility Statement