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Nohar Shahar of the Israel Antiquities Authority: “This expands our understanding of Caesarea’s layout and wealth of archaeological treasures.”
By Shula Rosen
In a rare archaeological find, a 1,700-year-old sarcophagus depicting a drinking game between Hercules and the Greek god of drunkenness, Dionysus, was discovered just outside the ancient city of Caesarea.
The significance of the find is twofold: this is the first time a sarcophagus depicting the drinking contest between Hercules and Dionysus has been found in Israel; the scene is often depicted in ancient mosaics.
Second, the discovery of the sarcophagus just outside Caesarea implies that the ancient city may have been larger than previously believed.
“This is the very first time we’ve found the Dionysus and Hercules wine competition scene on a burial coffin in our region,” Nohar Shahar of the Israel Antiquities Authority told The Jerusalem Post.
“While Dionysian processions are a common motif on 2nd- and 3rd-century CE sarcophagi, this particular drinking contest is typically known from mosaics, like those in Zippori and Antioch.”
Regarding the location of the find, Shahar said, “This expands our understanding of Caesarea’s layout and wealth of archaeological treasures.”
When asked who won the drinking contest, Shahar answered, “Hercules, depicted slumped and unable to stand, leaves no doubt: Dionysus won.”
Shahar and Shani Amit, also of the Israel Antiquities Authority, recounted the experience of discovering the sarcophagus, ‘It felt like something straight out of a movie. As we carefully swept away the fine sand of the dune, a marble artifact began to appear.
“The whole excavation team stood in awe as more details came into view—elaborate carvings of deities, animals, and trees. Every fragment revealed was more incredible than the one before. The most breathtaking moment came in the final hour, when we uncovered a fully intact side of the sarcophagus, depicting Hercules reclining on a lion skin, holding a cup.”
The discovery will be officially unveiled on Thursday, June 12, 2025, during “The Feast” conference at the Eretz Israel Museum in Tel Aviv, hosted by the Israel Antiquities Authority, Tel Aviv University, and Bar-Ilan University.
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