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Proserpina Sarcophagus

The Proserpina sarcophagus is a Roman marble sarcophagus from the first quarter of the third century AD. It has long been associated with the burial of Charlemagne, who was probably interred in it on 28 January 814 in Aachen Cathedral, though historians dispute this. Some sources suggest it may instead have been used later, after the exhumation of Charlemagne’s grave in 1165. By 1215 at the latest, Charlemagne’s bones had been transferred elsewhere, and the empty sarcophagus remained in Aachen Cathedral. It was later moved to Paris by Napoleon in 1794, returned to Aachen in 1815, and has been on display in the Cathedral Treasury since 1979.

Proserpina Sarcophagus with a richly carved high-relief scene of figures, horses, and serpents
The Proserpina Sarcophagus is shown with its densely detailed high-relief carving on display.
August 2014 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Proserpina Sarcophagus with a high-relief marble carving of a dramatic mythological scene with horses, a chariot, and a serpent.
The Proserpina Sarcophagus, showing a crowded high-relief carving across the front of the marble tomb.
© Unknown artistUnknown artist · Public domain
The Proserpina Sarcophagus with a dramatic high-relief scene of figures, horses, and chariots across the marble front.
The Proserpina Sarcophagus, carved with a dense classical relief scene across its marble front.
1905 © · No restrictions
The Proserpina Sarcophagus shown in angled top-down view, with a high-relief mythological scene on its long side.
The Proserpina Sarcophagus, with an elaborate mythological relief carved along its side.
1867 © unknow engraver · Public domain
Relief on the Proserpina Sarcophagus showing a mythological kidnapping scene with a woman seized by a man, a chariot, and winged figures.
A carved marble relief on the Proserpina Sarcophagus depicting a dramatic mythological abduction scene.
June 2006 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleProserpina sarcophagus
Alternative namePersephone Sarcophagus
Object typeRoman marble sarcophagus

Historical context

DateFirst quarter of the 3rd century AD
WorkshopA workshop in ancient Rome

Materials

MaterialCarrara marble

Physical characteristics

Dimensions205 cm long, 50 cm wide, 49 cm deep
ConditionGenerally well preserved, but with a transport break running through the front relief; heavy damage occurred when it was hoisted up to the gallery
LidNot preserved

Technique

DecorationHigh-relief sculpture

Appearance

Front decorationAn elaborate multi-figure relief showing the abduction of Persephone (Proserpina)
Side decorationEach short side is decorated with a three-figure relief group
Front figuresHades/Pluto abducting Persephone on a quadriga; Athena/Minerva behind him; Eros/Cupid in front guiding him; Hermes/Mercury at the right edge; Cerberus near Hermes' feet; Tartarus beneath the horses; Demeter following in a chariot drawn by serpents, holding two torches; Aphrodite above as an accomplice; two frightened handmaidens on the ground protecting their baskets
Right side sceneA fruit-bearing boy accompanied by two shepherds
Left side sceneTwo young girls and a boy picking flowers

Iconography and meaning

InterpretationThe pagan Persephone myth was given a Christian interpretation, especially as a metaphor for resurrection and return to earth
Depicted mythThe abduction of Persephone (Proserpina), also known as the Rape of Persephone

Discovery and provenance

Place of productionA workshop in the city of Rome
Possible original usePossibly among the marble brought by Charlemagne from Rome and Ravenna for the Palatine Chapel, according to Einhard's Vita Karoli Magni
Historical association with CharlemagnePossibly used for Charlemagne's burial in 814; alternatively, Dieter Hägermann suggested it was first used in 1165 after Frederick Barbarossa's exhumation of Charlemagne's grave to hold Charlemagne's bones; the association is disputed
Removal of remainsBy 1215 at the latest, Charlemagne's bones had been removed and placed in the Karlsschrein

Location and ownership

Current locationAachen Cathedral Treasury
Location from 1843On the inaccessible Michaelsempore of the Nikolauskapelle
Location in 1815Returned to Aachen and placed in the Nikolauskapelle / Saint Nicholas Chapel
Location in 1794Taken to Paris by Napoleon I together with the ancient columns of the cathedral
Associated objectProbably displayed with a 14th-century wooden figure of Charlemagne now in the treasury, likely part of a Charlemagne memorial
Location after 1215Empty sarcophagus displayed in the lower ambulatory of Aachen Cathedral, visible only from the front through a grille

History and restoration

DocumentationA drawing of the front relief survives in the Codex Coburgensis; travelers first described its appearance in the 16th century and recognized it as an ancient work
Transport break date1843
RestorationRestored in 1998; all break edges were closed flush

Significance

Art historical contextOne of many Roman sarcophagi depicting the abduction of Persephone
Burial significanceTraditionally associated with the burial of Charlemagne

Other

Related historical figuresCharlemagne, Frederick Barbarossa, Napoleon I, Dieter Hägermann