Polyxena Sarcophagus Human Sacrifice

Polyxena Sarcophagus Human Sacrifice

Sarcophagus Human Sacrifice  View of one of the long sides of the "Polyxena Sarcophagus." On this side of the sarcophagus the sacrifice of Polyxena, the younger daughter of the Trojan King Priam and Queen Hecuba is depicted.

Note the detail on how the Polyxena is being held, her hair is being grasped, and the positioning of the knife as it is inserted into her throat.  This is not the "mere" execution of a prisoner, but a purposeful sacrifice of a beloved child in order to propitiate a deity!

From the Bible compare:

2Kings 3:27 Then he [King of Moab] took his firstborn son, who was to succeed him as king, and offered him as a sacrifice on the city wall. The fury against Israel was great; they withdrew and returned to their own land.

This sarcophagus was discovered in 1994.  It is dated to 500-490 B.C.