Panel of an ivory diptych, dated to the year 402 (late roman), that bears the Symmachus family monogram and depicts the apotheosis of a mortal (probably Q. Aurelius Symmachus himself).
He appears below in an elephant-drawn litter beside a funeral pyre topped by an image of the Sun god in a chariot, while two eagles ascend heavenward. Above, the man reappears, led into heaven by two genii; five persons, perhaps his ancestors, await him there. The Sun god observes the scene from near a portion of the zodiac (six signs can be seen).
the panel is carved with the apotheosis of a pagan figure in three scenes: at bottom: four elephants draw a carriage carrying a dignitary, who sits beneath an aedicula with a gabled roof.
He wears a toga and carries a staff and laurel branch. Beyond the carriage, a funeral pyre surmounted by a quadriga bearing a god. From this pyre fly two eagles. Above, a man borne by personifications of two winds into heaven, where he is welcomed by five male figures. He passes an arc with six zodiacal signs, and is watched by the sun god Helios. At the top of the panel, an openwork scroll with monogram.
Elephant ivory. Height: 301 millimetres.
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