Sarcophagus of Eshmunazor
II, king of Sidon
Necropolis of Magharat Ablun, Saïda (ancient Sidon),
Lebanon
489-475 BC
Black amphibolite
H 256 cm
AO 4806
Description
"The large Phoenician town of Sidon, now Saïda, enjoyed great
prestige in the 5th century BC, under the dynasty of Eshmunazor. The
excavations carried out on the site in the middle of the 19th
century brought to light numerous stone sarcophagi grouped in
funeral chambers. Most are of Greek influence, some, such as the
sarcophagus in black amphibolite of Eshmunazor II, are of Egyptian
style. Its discovery in 1855, enabled a decisive advance in the
knowledge of Phoenician, thanks to the long inscription engraved on
the cover which gives the name of the deceased, his titles, his
genealogy, and his construction of temples."
- Louvre