The Jonah Sarcophagus

The Jonah sarcophagus, now in the Vatican museum, has a complex array of images, some retelling the story of Jonah, some showing other biblical narratives, and some showing scenes that are not biblical at all.

Above the sail we see the figures of the Greek goddess Juno beseeching the god of the wind Aeolus to create a storm. She offers a beautiful nymph in exchange, and Aeolus agrees. The source of this is Virgil's Aenead: Virgil tells us that she wishes to prevent Aeneas from arriving in Italy and founding a Trojan colony. So, not biblical, but it demonstrates the continued importance of Greek mythology and how creators of Christian images made use of it .

Jonah is thrown overboard. His nudity relates to the baptism theme, though no-one has been able to explain why the sailors are also naked.

Jonah is regurgitated, a clear reference to birth  - and rebirth.

Jonah sleeps beneath the gourd.

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