About 180 AD. Found in 1931in RomeThe fore part of the grand sarcophagus represents a battle scene staged on several planes and focused on the haughty advance of a Roman knight depicted in the capacity of universal victor. The sanguinary scenes are framed by two couples of captive barbarians; whose woebegone expressions convey the torment incumbent on those who rebel against the rule of Rome. The frieze on the lid; between two corner mascarons; celebrates the deceased and his spouse; portrayed in the centre in the act of the dextrarum iunctio (clasping of right hands). The decoration of the sarcophagus; inspired by many scenes of the Antonine Column; is dateable to about 180 AD. The military insignia on the upper rim of the case allow the identification of the deceased as Aulus Iulius Pompilius; official of Marcus Aurelius; in command of two cavalry squadrons drafted to these two legions during the Marcomannic Wars.National Roman Museum - Palazzo Massimo alle Terme; Rome; Italy.