Overview
sarcophagus
Quick Reference
A stone coffin, typically adorned with a sculpture or inscription and associated with the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Rome, and Greece. Recorded from late Middle English, the word comes via Latin from Greek sarkophagos ‘flesh-consuming’; the stone of which these coffins was made was originally believed to be able to consume the flesh of the dead bodies deposited in it.
Subjects: Archaeology — Art & Architecture — Classical studies — History — Linguistics — Literature — Media studies — Music — Performing arts — Philosophy — Religion — Society and culture
