The Lycian Sarcophagus is an ancient artifact unearthed during excavations conducted by Osman Hamdi Bey and his team in 1887 at the Sidon Necropolis (located in the ancient city of Sidon, now within the borders of Lebanon). It is exhibited in the Istanbul Archaeology Museums. The term "Lycian" in its name derives from the resemblance of the sarcophagus' shape to the characteristic house-type rock tombs of the Lycian civilization. Dated between the late 5th century BCE and the early 4th century BCE, this sarcophagus is significant for shedding light on a transitional period where Eastern and Western art blended.
Lycian Sarcophagus, Istanbul Archaeology Museums (Photo: Nazlı Kemerkaya)
History
The discovery of the sarcophagus took place in 1887 during Osman Hamdi Bey's archaeological excavations in the Royal Necropolis of Sidon. A total of 22 royal sarcophagi were uncovered from the excavation site. Among these, notable artifacts such as the Tabnit Sarcophagus, the Satrap Sarcophagus, the Lycian Sarcophagus, the Sarcophagus of the Mourning Women, and the Alexander Sarcophagus were transported to Istanbul.
Produced during a period when the influences of the Achaemenid (Persian) Empire were predominant, while interactions with the Greek world were also intense, the artifact is considered a “bridge” that reflects the convergence of different cultures in art history. After being brought to Istanbul, the Lycian Sarcophagus was added to the inventory of the Istanbul Archaeology Museums and remains one of the museum’s most remarkable exhibits today.
Features
The Lycian Sarcophagus measures 2.96 meters in height, 2.53 meters in length, and 1.36 meters in width. The Parian marble used in its construction indicates the high craftsmanship involved and suggests that its owner was a person of elevated status.
The lower section of the sarcophagus rests on a broad and flat base, while its rectangular body is reinforced with pyramidal façades. The upper section consists of a high lid with pointed arches on its shorter sides. The sarcophagus chest is built higher than usual, creating a balanced proportion between the lower and upper sections. Additionally, the sarcophagus narrows by 0.03 meters in every direction toward the top, giving it a pyramidal appearance. This design ensures the heavy lid is securely supported.
The decorative elements of the sarcophagus are notable for their metope and frieze reliefs. The reliefs are not deeply carved but rather executed in high relief, with figures extending beyond the framing. The background of the reliefs was painted dark blue, and traces of paint are particularly evident in sections featuring sphinxes, centaurs, and griffins. Some moldings have a pearl bead motif painted in red, while the egg-and-dart pattern has a dark yellow background. Red paint traces are also found on the architrave.
The friezes of the Lycian Sarcophagus share similarities with the friezes of the Parthenon on the Athenian Acropolis. This resemblance suggests that the artist who crafted the sarcophagus may have traveled to Athens and possibly even worked on the Parthenon itself.
The chest section of the sarcophagus measures 0.18 meters in height, with a flat lower part and an inclined upper base leading to the lid. The rectangular chest narrows by 0.03 meters toward the top on all sides. Each of its four faces is framed by a 0.13-meter-wide flat border, within which the relief decorations are placed.
Depictions on the Sarcophagus
The reliefs on the Lycian Sarcophagus intricately reflect the artistic style and narratives of the period. One of the long sides features a lion hunt scene, while the other depicts a wild boar hunt. The shorter sides contain mythological figures and battle scenes from Greek mythology.
Lion Hunt Scene
On one of the long sides, a lion hunt scene is depicted with quadrigas (four-horse chariots) engaging in the chase. The quadrigas are arranged in a sequential manner, with the horses dynamically portrayed in motion. One of the horses is shown with all four legs off the ground, enhancing the dynamism of the composition. The head and body postures of the horses reflect the Greek artistic tradition.
On the right side of the composition, a lion figure is placed. The lion is positioned between the legs of the first quadriga's horses, depicted in a crouched pose with its head turned right and body curled up on its front paws. With its mouth open, the lion appears to be trying to conceal itself. The hunters are shown aiming their spears directly at the lion.
Lion hunt scene (Photo: Nazlı Kemerkaya)
Wild Boar Hunt Scene
The other long side of the sarcophagus depicts a wild boar hunt. The wild boar, located at the center of the composition, is rendered with a long, pointed snout. Shown in profile, the animal is seen fleeing from hunters approaching from the right while simultaneously confronting another group of hunters from the left. With its mouth open, ears erect, and legs tensed, the wild boar's movement is emphasized. The horses are portrayed galloping at full speed, and three hunters on one side and two on the other are attacking the wild boar.
Wild boar hunt scene (Photo: Nazlı Kemerkaya)
Mythological Scenes
One of the short sides features a mythological battle scene from Greek mythology. In this scene, two centaurs are attacking Kaineus, the son of Elatos of the Lapiths. At the center of the composition, Kaineus is depicted nude, wearing a cloak fastened around his neck, with the fabric flowing over his shoulders. His face is turned right, and he defends himself against the attacking centaurs with an oval shield while counterattacking with a spear.
Attack of the Centaurs on Kaineus, son of Elatos of the Lapiths (Photo: Egisto Sani, flickr.com)
On the lid of the sarcophagus, two figures are depicted with both lion and eagle features. These creatures stand on their hind legs with raised claws, emphasizing an aggressive stance. They have eagle heads with long beaks and crests extending from the top of their heads down their necks. Their wings droop downward, while their lower bodies resemble lions, akin to the sphinxes on the other sides of the sarcophagus.
Lion-eagle figure on the upper section (Photo: Alberto Trentanni, flickr.com)
The other short side features a battle scene involving two centaurs struggling over a deer. The centaurs, standing on a rocky ground, are depicted rearing on their hind legs while grasping each other with their front legs. The deer they hold serves as the focal point of the composition.
The arched lid of the sarcophagus contains two sphinx figures, depicted in a seated posture with wings extending up to the top of the arch. These sphinxes have lion bodies, human female faces, and chests, reflecting anthropomorphic traits. As guardian figures of the tomb, the sphinxes enhance the symbolic meaning of the sarcophagus.
Centaurs hunting a deer and sphinx figures (Photo: Nazlı Kemerkaya)
