A 1,700-year-old marble sarcophagus (coffin), carved with an intricate scene depicting a drinking contest between Dionysus (or Bacchus), the god of wine, and the mythical hero Heracles (Hercules), was recently unearthed at Caesarea. This is the first time a depiction of the Dionysus and Hercules wine competition scene has been discovered on a sarcophagus in the region. The famous scene is known from mosaics at Zippori and Syrian Antioch, but—until now—it had not appeared on burial coffins in Israel. The sarcophagus was discovered in an area outside the walls of Caesarea; this area leading into the city has proven to be richer in archaeological material than previously thought. While the Greek god Dionysus is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, some scholars believe Paul’s condemnation of those who drank the cup of demons (1 Cor. 10:20–21) is a veiled reference to the cult of Dionysus, which was prominent in Corinth. Moreover, a man named Dionysius the Areopagite—no doubt named after the Greek god—came to faith through Paul’s ministry in Athens (Acts 17:34).
Source:
- https://www.iaa.org.il/en/page/news-index (See “A spectacular and rare Roman sarcophagus was uncovered in Caesarea” [June 9, 2025])
