Sarcophagus from Astorga

Roman sarcophagi production from the 3rd to the 5th centuries is the main source for the study of sculpture from this period. Christian themes begin to be included from the end of the 3rd century, at first in a somewhat cryptic way, and then much more explicitly. The pieces are characterized by compositions were horror vacui takes precedence. The sarcophagus from Astorga is an early piece (dating from before the Edict of Milan in 313), from a time when Christianity was still a persecuted religion. This gives it a special value as its front appears to already be fully decorated with Christian scenes. From left to right, it depicts the resurrection of Lazarus, the arrest of Saint Peter, the miracle of the stone, Adam and Eve next to the tree of knowledge after the original sin, the multiplying of the fish and the loaves and the sacrifice of Abraham. The overall message of the piece is redemption, supported by sacramental allusions to Baptism and the Eucharist.