Two Sarcophagi - A Comparison in Styles

Below is the Great Ludovisi Sarcophagus. This piece dates to approximately AD 250, but is very late example of a battle sarcophagus type common from AD 170-210. The triumphant Roman soldiers dominate the upper row. In the middle section the Roman soldiers attack the barbarians, who are crushed below the Roman soldiers in the bottom row. Note you can tell they are barbarians because they are wearing pants. This is a picture of an confident, triumphant empire.

Compare the confidence of the above to the Sarcophagus of Acilia, below, which is thought to depict a procession to install a consul during the reign of Emperor Gallienus 253-268. The young man being made consul is far from the picture of confidence, and his companions glance around nervously. This is a very different vibe from the triumphant scene depicted above.

I am far from the first person to come up with this comparison but I thought it was cool so I am including it.

And for fun here is another cool sarcophagus made of an amazing banded marble.