This sarcophagus was excavated in 1872 in an area outside the Aurelian Walls of Rome known as the Vigna Casali. At the center is the deceased, a wealthy woman depicted holding a scroll. To her left is Minerva, the goddess of wisdom. Flanking them on either side are the nine muses with their characteristic attributes, representing artistic and cultural skills. The woman for whom this was carved clearly wished to be remembered for eternity as a person of great intellect and culture.
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