---
title: Sarcophagus of Ahiram
author: G. Eric and Edith Matson Photograph Collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress (1936)
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/174/sarcophagus-of-ahiram/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Sarcophagus of Ahiram

_Authored by G. Eric and Edith Matson Photograph Collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress (1936)_

## Image File

[![Sarcophagus of Ahiram](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/174.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/174.jpg)

## Image Caption

The Sarcophagus of Ahiram, king of [Byblos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byblos/), bearing the oldest inscription of the Phoenician [alphabet](https://www.worldhistory.org/alphabet/), which reads: "Coffin which Ittobaal, son of Ahiram, king of Byblos, made for Ahiram, his father, when he placed him in the 'house of eternity'. Now if a king among kings or a governor among governors or a commander of an army should come up against Byblos and uncovers this coffin, may the sceptre of his rule be torn away, may the throne of his kingdom be overturned, and may peace flee from Byblos! And as for him, if he destroys this inscription, then the...!"

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## Cite This Work

### APA
(1936), G. E. a. E. M. P. C. P. a. P. D. L. o. C. (2012, April 26). Sarcophagus of Ahiram. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/174/sarcophagus-of-ahiram/>
### Chicago
(1936), G. Eric and Edith Matson Photograph Collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. "Sarcophagus of Ahiram." *World History Encyclopedia*, April 26, 2012. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/174/sarcophagus-of-ahiram/>.
### MLA
(1936), G. Eric and Edith Matson Photograph Collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. "Sarcophagus of Ahiram." *World History Encyclopedia*, 26 Apr 2012, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/174/sarcophagus-of-ahiram/>.

## License & Copyright

Original image by **G. Eric and Edith Matson Photograph Collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress (1936)**. Submitted by [Jan van der Crabben](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jvdc/ "User Page: Jan van der Crabben"), published on 26 April 2012. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.