Bacchus on Jesus. This is a topic that has been seen many times before, and its relevance continues here. As mentioned in a previous article, the attributes of the Greco-Roman god of wine, transformation, and ecstasy—known as Dionysus or Bacchus—were borrowed from the early days of Christian worship in and around the city of Rome. Scholars believe that linking the old with the new will make conversion to the new religion easier. The sarcophagus of Junius Bassus (c. 359 AD), is one of the earliest instances in which Christian images and stories are depicted without explicit reference to Bacchus. One would only know about the pagan influences if one was familiar with the cult symbols of Bacchus—grapes/wine, youthful yet sage appearance, beard, a retinue of faithful followers and of course, a wise older figure is always by his side. (For Bacchus, this figure is Silenus; for Jesus, it is usually Peter.)
Detail of Jesus on the coffin of Junius Bassus. (Steven Zucker/ CC BY NC SA 2.0 )
The Transition of Junius Bassus
The coffin of Junius Bassus once spoke a lot to the audience. Not only is it one of the first images of Jesus of Nazareth in the new Christian world but it is also special because it provides Christian scenes on the coffin.
Bacchus is often associated with death; the transformative qualities of his character often refer to one’s mental state (due to alcohol) and one’s physical state (as Bacchus himself was a twice-born god). Christianity has a similar emphasis on the afterlife. Thus, the use of the coffin as an early vehicle for Christian imagery still worked for both religious sects, even though the former was clearly on the verge of being eliminated.
‘Bacchus’ by Caravaggio. (Public domain)
Junius Bassus was a Roman politician who served under Constantine I, the emperor who later made Christianity one of the official religions of Rome. Both Constantine and Bassus decided to convert to Christianity, although neither made the decision on their deathbed. This also shows the importance of the coffin as an early vehicle for Christian depictions: what ultimately led Christianity to dominate pagan religions was the promise—the assurance—of life after death. Thus, the sarcophagus—both in image and shape—was intended not only to represent Bassus’s conversion to the Christian faith but also that of the empire.
Important images on Sarcophagus
The coffin depicts scenes from both the Old and New Testaments, further emphasizing the new emphasis on Christianity. Both forms of fundamental religious text are considered “timelines” of Christian ideology engraved into an object that will last forever. In a way, one could argue that this “timeline” is another example in which the Romans pushed themselves away from their old faith; the story from Genesis alone would rewrite origin stories from pagan faith.
Furthermore, the value of grapes and wine was also “written” on the coffin. To better understand the Bacchant myth integrated into Christian thought, please read the author’s previous article here. For the purposes of this article, it is necessary to pay attention to the image engraved on the coffin of Jesus riding a donkey.
Detail on the sarcophagus of Junius Bassus showing Jesus entering Jerusalem. (Steven Zucker/ CC BY NC SA 2.0 )
This moment symbolizes the return to Jerusalem of Jesus of Nazareth, just as Bacchus joyfully returned to Rome (or Greece) after his eastern adventure. Here, this once pagan moment was transformed decisively into Christianity. Likewise, Bacchus’s infamous attribute—grapes—was scattered outside the coffin in a dense, colorless tangle of vines, ivy leaves, and grapes.
The close association between Christian images and that of wine serves to reinforce the drink as a reminder of Jesus turning water into wine and, later, meat into bread. This moment, known as the Eucharist in Christian and Catholic circles, is a key aspect of Christian worship. Once again, Bacchus’s most valuable attribute is almost completely replaced in the story of Jesus of Nazareth.
Jesus turns water into wine. Details of ‘The Marriage at Cana’ by Marten de Vos, c. 1596 (Public Domain)
Combine old and new
On Bassus’s sarcophagus, one of the first clear instances of this transition can be seen in the art world. This coffin thus becomes a bridge between these two religions in many ways, blatantly highlighting their similarities during a time when both religions were known. During the 4th century AD, Christianity had only recently been officially recognized and the old pagan ways of life had not yet died out. In those days, paganism was outlawed, worshipers were persecuted, and Christianity took a leading position in society.
Instead of hiding the similarities of these two faiths, Bassus chooses to illustrate them, providing a deeper understanding of this new religious sect. By replacing the relationship between Bacchus and Jesus with descriptions of Christian stories—both similar and unlike those of the past—Bassus seems to have (whether intentionally or not) contributed to the widespread conversion from paganism to Christianity.
Adam and Eve on the coffin of Junius Bassus. (Steven Zucker/ CC BY NC SA 2.0 )
Top image: Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus. Source: It’s Artalicious!
