Keywords: Roman - Sarcophagus with the Triumph of Dionysus - Walters 2331.jpg The triumphal march of Dionysus or Bacchus as he was generally known in Rome through the lands of India was equated in Roman thought with the triumph of the deceased over death At the left Dionysus rides in a chariot pulled by panthers Preceding him is a procession of his followers and exotic animals including lions elephants and even a giraffe A bird's nest is concealed in the tree at the far right; on the same tree a snake is pursuing a lizard Many of the animals depicted had special significance in the mystery cult of Dionysus Sabazius On the lid is the birth of Dionysus and his reception by nymphs shown between satyr heads on the ends one smiling and one frowning The enormous attention to detail on this sarcophagus exemplifies the talents of the best Roman relief carvers ca 190 Imperial Thasian marble H including lid 47 1/2 x W 92 1/2 x D 40 in 120 7 x 234 9 x 101 6 cm ; H without lid cm 90 96 accession number 23 31 33305 The Calpurnii Pisones via Salaria 1885 from the family chamber tomb north of Rome Don Marcello Massarenti Rome Henry Walters city Baltimore Walters Art Museum Henry Walters Acquired by Henry Walters with the Massarenti Collection 1902 place of origin Athens Greece Walters Art Museum license Ancient Roman art in the Walters Art Museum Media contributed by the Walters Art Museum needs category review Triumph of Dionysos Dionysos Sabazios |