The discovery of a child’s sarcophagus, adorned with intricate iconography, offers a fascinating glimpse into Roman funerary art and beliefs. Crafted from greyish Proconnesian marble with striking blue bands, this sarcophagus vividly depicts the marriage feast of Cupid and Psyche, drawing on the rich mythology recounted by Apuleius. Let’s delve into the details of this remarkable artifact, exploring its cultural and historical significance.

Central Scene
1. Embrace of Cupid and Psyche
At the heart of the sarcophagus, Cupid and Psyche are depicted in a tender embrace on a kline, a high-ended couch.
A small winged cupid, symbolizing love, holds a dove beside them.
2. Playful Cupids and Symbolic Elements Beneath the kline, a wingless cupid teases a hare with a bunch of fruit, while a table bearing a fish is positioned beside the hare.
Attendant Figures

1. Cupids in Service
Four cupids flank the central scene:
-One winged cupid bears fruit tucked into his cloak.
-A wingless female figure holds a jug and a long-handled dish for hand-washing, with a cockerel before her.
-A winged female cupid plays a pandurium while seated on a high-backed wicker chair.
-Another wingless cupid strums a lyre with a plectrum, his left foot resting on a rock with a long-tailed bird, likely a peacock, strutting in front.
2. Psyches in Attendance
-Two psyches, dressed and coiffed similarly to the central couple, complete the scene:
-One winged psyche carries a long garland in his right hand and a cornucopia in his left, followed by another holding a hare in both hands.
Scene Elements
The scene is framed by trees on each end, enhancing the idyllic and naturalistic portrayal.
The back of the sarcophagus remains undecorated, focusing the viewer’s attention on the elaborate front panel.

Cultural and Historical Context
Dating and Origin: The sarcophagus dates back to the 3rd century, a product of Roman craftsmanship. Excavated near San Cesareo in Palatio, Rome, it showcases the high artistry of the period.
Dimensions:
Height: 39.30 cm
Length: 134 cm
Width: 44 cm
Interpretation
The depiction of Cupid and Psyche’s heavenly marriage feast reflects Roman funerary traditions, idealizing a rite of passage not experienced due to the child’s premature death.
Psyche’s butterfly wings symbolize the soul of a girl, while the cupid with a dove signifies the release of the soul.
Historical Notes
Similar scenes are found on other metropolitan sarcophagi from Rome, often dated to the Severan period. The use of a vertically held drill to separate digits and emphasize hair and features highlights the technical prowess of Roman sculptors.
Despite the crowded scene, the execution remains lively and naturalistic, capturing the essence of Roman artistic tradition. The sarcophagus was brought from Rome by the Duke of St Albans and was discovered in the late 17th century near the church of S. Cesario.
The Story of Cupid and Psyche

Psyche is the youngest and most beautiful of three princesses. Her beauty is so extraordinary that it incites the jealousy of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. As people start worshipping Psyche instead of Venus, the goddess decides to punish her.
Venus’ Revenge
Venus orders her son, Cupid, to make Psyche fall in love with the most wretched of men. However, upon seeing Psyche, Cupid himself falls deeply in love with her.
The Oracle and the Mountain
Despite her beauty, Psyche cannot find a husband. Her parents consult an oracle of Apollo, who, under Venus’ influence, tells them to leave Psyche on a mountain peak, where she will marry a fearsome creature. Heartbroken, they obey.
Cupid’s Palace
Psyche is transported by the West Wind, Zephyrus, to a magnificent palace. There, she lives in luxury and is attended to by invisible servants. Every night, Cupid visits her, but he comes in the dark and forbids her from seeing his face.
Psyche’s Curiosity
Psyche’s sisters, jealous of her fortune, convince her that her unseen husband is a monster. They suggest she takes a lamp and a knife to look at him while he sleeps. Psyche follows their advice and is astonished to find Cupid instead of a monster. Startled, she accidentally spills hot oil from the lamp on him, waking him up.
Cupid’s Departure
Cupid, feeling betrayed, flees. Psyche is left alone and miserable. Determined to find her love, she roams the earth in search of him.
The Trials
Venus imposes a series of nearly impossible tasks on Psyche:
Sorting Seeds: Psyche must sort a huge pile of mixed seeds in one night. With the help of ants, she succeeds.
Golden Fleece: She must gather wool from dangerous, golden-fleeced sheep. A reed advises her to collect the wool caught on the branches.
Water from a River: Psyche is tasked with fetching water from a treacherous river guarded by dragons. An eagle assists her.
Proserpine’s Beauty: Finally, she must retrieve a box of beauty from the underworld queen, Proserpine. A tower gives her instructions on how to complete this task safely.
The Reunion
Psyche, overcome by curiosity, opens the box and falls into a death-like sleep. Cupid, having forgiven her, rescues Psyche and brings her to Olympus. He begs Jupiter to grant her immortality.
Immortality and Marriage
Jupiter agrees, and Psyche is made immortal. The story concludes with the marriage of Cupid and Psyche in the heavens, and they eventually have a daughter named Voluptas (Pleasure).
This myth symbolizes the trials and tribulations of true love, illustrating that trust, perseverance, and the overcoming of obstacles are essential for love to triumph.
Exploring the Mythological Parallels: Cupid and Psyche, Madan and Rati

Mythologies across cultures often reflect universal themes and archetypes that resonate deeply within human experience. Two such enduring tales are the stories of Cupid and Psyche from Roman mythology and Madan (Kamadeva) and Rati from Hindu mythology. Both narratives delve into the trials, tribulations, and ultimate triumphs of love, underscoring its transcendent power. Let’s explore these stories and their cultural similarities in detail.
The Tale of Cupid and Psyche
Origin: Roman Mythology
Main Characters:
Cupid (Eros in Greek mythology): The god of love.
Psyche: A mortal woman of extraordinary beauty.
Story Outline:
Divine Jealousy: Venus, envious of Psyche’s beauty, sends her son Cupid to make Psyche fall in love with a monster. However, Cupid himself falls in love with her.
Love and Secrecy: Cupid marries Psyche but forbids her from seeing him.
Betrayal and Trials: Persuaded by her sisters, Psyche looks at Cupid while he sleeps. As a result, Cupid leaves, and Psyche must undergo a series of arduous trials set by Venus to win him back.
Divine Intervention: Psyche completes the tasks with the help of divine beings, and the gods grant her immortality so she can be with Cupid forever.
The Tale of Madan (Kamadeva) and Rati
Origin: Hindu Mythology
Main Characters:
Madan (Kamadeva): The god of love, known for his bow made of sugarcane and arrows of flowers.
Rati: His wife, the goddess of passion and love.
Story Outline:
Divine Love: Kamadeva wields a bow made of sugarcane and arrows of flowers, symbolizing love and desire.
Challenge and Sacrifice: Kamadeva disturbs Shiva’s meditation to aid Parvati, Shiva’s future consort. Angered, Shiva incinerates Kamadeva with his third eye, devastating Rati.
Resurrection and Reunion: Rati performs severe penance, leading to Kamadeva’s eventual resurrection, symbolizing the triumph of love and devotion.
Cultural Similarities

Theme of Love and Union
Both stories revolve around divine beings associated with love—Cupid and Kamadeva—and their consorts, Psyche and Rati. The central theme in both tales is the union of lovers, overcoming trials and divine intervention to achieve eternal togetherness.
Trials and Challenges
Psyche and Rati both endure significant trials. Psyche undergoes tasks set by Venus, demonstrating her dedication and perseverance. Similarly, Rati faces the immense challenge of her husband’s death and her subsequent penance, showcasing her unwavering devotion.
Divine and Mortal Interactions
In both narratives, there is a blend of divine and mortal elements. Psyche, a mortal, becomes divine through her trials and ultimate union with Cupid. Kamadeva and Rati, while deities, experience human-like emotions and hardships. This interaction underscores the universality and transcendence of love, bridging the gap between the mortal and the divine.
Transformation and Immortality
Psyche’s transformation into a goddess reflects the theme of eternal love, much like Kamadeva’s resurrection and reunion with Rati. Both stories emphasize the idea that love conquers all, including death and separation, highlighting its transformative and everlasting nature.
Symbolism and Imagery
The symbolic objects in both myths, such as Cupid’s arrows and Kamadeva’s flower arrows, represent the enchanting and often piercing nature of love. The imagery evokes the power and beauty of love, depicted through divine attributes and interventions, reinforcing the notion that love is a formidable force.
Conclusion
The stories of Cupid and Psyche and Madan and Rati reveal the profound and universal nature of love as a transformative force. Despite their cultural differences, these myths share common themes and motifs that highlight love’s ability to overcome challenges and transcend the boundaries between mortals and gods. Through trials, divine interventions, and ultimate reunions, these narratives celebrate the enduring power of love.


Reference:
1. The British Museum, Object type: Sarcophagus, Museum Artifact Number: 1805,0703.132
2. Mahabharat, Geeta Press, Gorakhpur, India.
3. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum, Mumbai, India.