BIBLE HISTORY DAILY

Heracles and Dionysus in Caesarea Maritima

Death and revelries in a Roman-era city

While excavating the Herodian city of Caesarea Maritima, archaeologists with the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) made a startlingly beautiful discovery: a marble sarcophagus depicting the famous drinking contest between Heracles and Dionysus. Although similar depictions have been found in Roman-era mosaics, this is the first time the scene has been discovered on a sarcophagus, shedding fascinating new light on Roman perspectives of death in the important biblical city.

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Celebrating Death

Built by Herod the Great (r. 37–4 BCE) and dedicated to the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus, Caesarea was, for a time, one of the most impressive cities in Judea and the entire Roman Empire. It was also in Caesarea that Paul was imprisoned for two years (Acts 23–25). The newly discovered marble sarcophagus is just one example of the city’s wealth, opulence, and firmly Hellenistic culture during the Roman period (c. 37 BCE–324 CE). Roughly 1,700 years old, the sarcophagus was discovered in an area outside the city walls, along with other archaeological remains, indicating the city at the time was significantly larger than previously thought.

However, the most remarkable aspect of the sarcophagus is its depiction of Heracles and Dionysus. “It was like a scene out of a movie,” said IAA archaeologists Nohar Shahar and Shani Amit in a statement. “We began removing the soft, light sand of the dune when suddenly the tip of a marble object popped up. The entire excavation team stood around excitedly, and as we cleared more sand, we couldn’t believe what we were seeing—parts of a sarcophagus, upon which figures were carved: gods, animals, and trees. Each uncovered fragment was more impressive than the one before. In fact, in the very last hour of the excavation came the climax—an entire intact side of the sarcophagus, which was buried in the sand, was uncovered, which portrays the scene of Hercules lying on a lion skin, holding a cup in his hand.”

After being conserved, the whole scene of the Caesarea Maritima sarcophagus was revealed. In the center of one of the long sides stands Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and revelries. Surrounding him is an entourage of maenads, satyrs, lions, tigers, and the gods Hermes and Pan. Meanwhile, on one of the short sides is the mighty hero Heracles, the Greek version of Hercules. In one of his hands is a wine glass, and he is depicted reclining on a lion skin, clearly overcome by drink.

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Although the tale of the drinking contest between Heracles and Dionysus is known from second and third-century mosaics in the region, it is the first time it has been found on a sarcophagus. “It seems that the figures are not only celebrating,” said Shahar, “they are in fact accompanying the dead on his last journey, when drinking and dancing are transformed into a symbol of liberation and transition to life in the next world. This sarcophagus offers an unusual perspective of the idea of death, not as an end, but as the beginning of a new path.”

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Related reading in Bible History Daily

OnSite: Caesarea Maritima

Divers Discover Sunken Cargo at Herod’s Port City

All-Access members, read more in the BAS Library

Caesarea Maritima: The Search for Herod’s City

Caesarea Beneath the Sea

Sunken Cargo at Herod’s Port City