Rome, Vatican. Jonah Sarcophagus, 3rd century
See Lowden  pp. 30-31
Note the narrative running from left to right, centering on the sinuous lines of the two
depictions of the great sea beast. Which other scenes typical of funerary art are apparent?

Rome, St. Peter's.
Sarcophagus of JuniusBassus, 359
See Lowden  pp. 50 - 51

Rome, Vatican. Sarcophagus of Domatilla (from Catacomb of Domatilla), mid-4th century
Central are the Cross and Chi-Rho in the form of a Roman military vexilla or standard. The two soldiers beneath
are presumably those who slept at Christ's tomb. In the two right panels we see Christ being presented to Pilate,
who washes his hands. In the panel second from left Christ is crowned by a soldier, though with laurel rather than
thorns. Far left, Simon of Cyrene carries the Cross to Calvary. Note the architectural rhythm.

Rome, Vatican, Dogmatic Sarcophagus
later 4th century  See Lowden pp. 48-49

Rome, Vatican, Three Shepherds Sarcophagus, later 4th century
Three shepherds atop pedestals are surrounded by winged putti preparing the vintage and
carrying out other bucolic acts, such as milking a goat. The clotehd figure in the
upper right field is Psyche, approaching a resting putto. Copare this imagery with
that in the vault of Sta. Costanza church (Lowden  p. 41).

Ravenna, Rinaldo Sarcophagus
The palms of Paradise frame a seated Christ being approached by
Saints Peter and Paul. Each carries the laurel crown of the martyr/
victor, while Peter also bears the cross. The  composition echoes
that of the Traditio Legis below, in which a standing Christ presents
Peter with the Law of the New Covenant.

Ravenna, Traditio Legis Sarcophagus
Peter, with hands covered for solemnity, accepts the scroll
symbolic of the New Law or Covenant presented by Christ,
with St. Paul gesturing approvingly. The far left and right male
and female forms probably represent the husband and wife to
whom the sarcophagus belonged.

Rome, Claudianus Sarcophagus
To the right of the inscription on the lid we see a figure of Christ
with a scroll of the Gospel/Law, attended by putti. To the left are
depictions of the Nativity and the Sacrifice of Isaac. On the face of
the sarcophagus are several miracles of Christ and the seizure of St. Paul.

Rome, St. Peter's, Sarcophagus of Probus, late 4th century
This courtly composition is centered on an imperial-type Christ holding a cross
as an emperor would a lance. Peter and Paul directly flank him. Four male figures
are ranked on each side; those holding scrolls may represent the Evangelists.

Rome, Vatican, Via Salaria Sarcophagus, mid-3rd century
See Lowden p. 31
Rams frame this compostion that is centered on the Good Shepherd/Christ
who carries a sheep and has two others at His feet. The seated figures are
thought to represent the patrons of the work, the woman to the left being
presented to an attentive Christ, while the male, dressed as a philosopher,
converses with two other men.
 

Rome, San Lorenzo fuori le Mure, Christ and His Apostles, later 4th century
A youthful, long-haired Christ as the Good Shepherd is in the center, flanked by His 12 Apostles.
At their feet stand 12 sheep representing the Church that the Shepherd and His helpers oversee.
In each corner, other shepherds tend to sheep as framing devices.
 

Rome, Sta Maria Antiqua Sarcophagus
The front of this sarcophaguscenters on a male figure sittingon a curule and reading
a scroll, perhaps indicating the piece's owner. To the far left is Jonah reclining beneath
the gourd tree, and to the far right the Baptism of Christ, with the dove of the Holy Spirit
over the symbolically small Christ's head. The Good Shepherd and an orant figure flank
the reader.

Rome, Vatican, Traditio Legis Sarcophagus, 4th century
From the Vatican Cemetery, this sarcophagus front centers on the traditio legis
to St. Peter (to Christ's left), with St. Paul to His right gesturing approval and
acclamation. To our left we see the sacrifice of Isaac and to the far right Christ's
appearance before Pilate, who characteristically washes his right hand.