Front of a Sarcophagus with the Myth of Endymion

On this fragment of a Roman sarcophagus, the mythological story of the love of Selene, the moon goddess, for the beautiful young mortal Endymion provides an allegorical message of hope for the deceased. In the center of the scene, Selene, identified by the crescent moon in her hair, alights from her chariot. Accompanied by Erotes, she approaches the sleeping Endymion. Hypnos, the god of sleep, stands behind Endymion, holding a branch of poppies and pouring a sleeping potion over him; by these means, Endymion sleeps eternally, in order to remain with the immortal goddess. In most versions of the myth, Endymion chose this fate—immortality and everlasting youth through eternal slumber. His tranquil sleep parallels the peaceful sleep of death. In this funerary context, the scene offers the comforting reminder that even in death, love endures.

At the far right, the artist shows a later moment in the story. Selene’s evening with the sleeping Endymion over, she has remounted her chariot and prepares to fly back to the sky. On the left, an elaborate pastoral scene with a shepherd and his flock does not directly enter the story; it merely serves as a setting.