Sarcophagus with a Greek Physician

Unknown

early 300s · Marble · Medieval Art

The tomb's owner is shown seated with an open scroll, the pose of a philosopher, demonstrating that he is a learned man. His profession can be identified by the open case containing surgical tools on the cabinet top. Other scrolls and a basin for bleeding patients within the cabinet offer further proof of his profession. The style of his dress and the language of the inscription indicate that he was one of the many Greeks living in Italy. Beginning in the 300s, Christians would adopt in their art the philosopher pose and the undulating motifs, or strigils, that appear on the sides of the sarcophagus.

Artist

Unknown

Date

early 300s

Medium

Marble

Culture

Roman

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. Joseph Brummer and Ernest Brummer, in memory of Joseph Brummer, 1948