Neon Sarcophagus, late 2nd – early decades of the 3rd century AD.

Voghenza (Fe)

Civic Lapidary, inv. RA801

The sarcophagus, which is small in size, is of the type a chest, with the front occupied by the funerary inscription placed within a table with double scroll loops, held by a pair of heroes. The sides are decorated with plant festoons, while the lid, sloping and largely oversized compared to the chest, simulates a roof of tiles and roof tiles. The front acroters are both carved with the image of a long-haired boy with a cloak over his left shoulder, depicted according to canons reminiscent of imperial portraiture of the Antonine age (138-192 CE). This is an idealized representation of the deceased: a child named Neon who, as the epigraph mentions, had died at age 2 years and 58 days ( qui vixit annis II diebus LVIII), an age therefore too young to coincide with the depictions on the lid. The sarcophagus, found on November 10, 1723. in front of the Este delizia of Belriguardo and immediately transferred to the Ferrara Lapidary, is referable to the Roman site of Voghenza.

Epigraph transcription and translation:

D(is) M(anibus) Neoni / Dulcissimo / Qui vixit annis / II diebus LVIII / T(itus) V(alerius) Maximus / alumno

To the Hand Gods, to the sweetest Neon who lived two years and fifty-eight days (did) Titus Valens Maximus to his son