The Sarcophagus of Domatilla: Pilate Washes His Hands
Mid-4th century
Museo Pio Christiano, Rome
Pilate makes a gesture signifying thought while a servant presents the water with which he will "wash his hands" of the matter (Matthew 27:24). The servant holds a bowl in his left hand and a pitcher in his right.
On the table is a kantharos, a symbol in both Christian and classical art of resurrection to eternal life. (See my essay, "Stags at Fountains, Peacocks, Kantharoi.") The small wreath hanging from the pediment, a common symbol of victory, echoes the larger wreath in the central panel, which contains a symbol of the resurrected Christ. These symbols balance the horror of the Passion with the assurance of salvation.
The building in the background with windows and crenellations establishes the outdoor setting of this episode in the narrative.
Read more about images of Pontius Pilate.
View the main image of the sarcophagus.
Photographed at the museum by Richard Stracke, shared under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license.