Roman mosaic

Mosaic with Xenia Fourth century AD Pius Clementine museum, Vatican Museums

A Roman mosaic is a mosaic made during the Roman period, throughout the Roman Empire. Mosaics were used in a variety of private and public buildings.

Development

The earliest examples of Roman mosaic flooring date to the late Republican period (2nd century BC) and are housed in Delos, though tessellated pavements were used in Europe from the late fifth to early fourth centuries BC.

The outstanding examples of Late Imperial period are the mosaics in the villa of Casale (c. 300 AD) in Sicily. The mosaic decoration of local palace complex culminates in the gallery, which contains a scene of animal hunting and fighting covering an area of 3,200 square feet (300 m²).

The Alexander Mosaic, ca. 100 BC

Technology

Roman mosaics are constructed from geometrical blocks called tesserae, placed together to create the shapes of figures, motifs and patterns. Materials for tesserae were obtained from local sources of natural stone, with the additions of cut brick, tile and pottery creating coloured shades of, predominantly, blue, black, red, white and yellow. Polychrome patterns were most common, but monochrome examples are known. Marble and glass were occasionally used as tesserae, as were small pebbles, and precious metals like gold. Mosaic decoration was not just confined to floors but featured on walls and vaults as well. Traces of guidelines have been found beneath some mosaics, either scored into or painted onto the mortar bedding. The design might also be pegged out in string, or mounted in a wooden frame.

The collapse of buildings in antiquity can, paradoxically, both irrevocably destroy mosaics or protect and preserve them.

Development

The earliest examples of Roman floor mosaics are dated to the late Republican period (2nd century BC) and are housed in Delos, though tessellated pavements were used in Europe from the late fifth to early fourth centuries BC.

The outstanding examples of Late Imperial period are the mosaics in the villa of Casale (c. 300 AD) in Sicily. The mosaic decoration of local palace complex culminates in the gallery, which contains a scene of animal hunting and fighting covering an area of 3,200 square feet (300 square metres).

Imagery

As well as geometric patterns and designs, Roman mosaics frequently depicted divine characters or mythological scenes.

Portraits

Imagery of famous individuals or entertaining scenes are common on Roman mosaics. The Alexander Mosaic from the House of the Faun, Pompeii depicts the Battle of Issus between Alexander the Great and Darius III. In addition to famous people from antiquity, mosaics can depict aspects of daily life. The Gladiator Mosaic from Rome depicts a fighting scene, naming each gladiator involved. A gladiatorial scene is also known from Leptis Magna.

Religion

One of the earliest depictions of Roman Christianity is a mosaic from Hinton St Mary (in Dorset, England) which shows Christ with a Chi-Rho behind his head. The mosaic is now in the British Museum.

Emblems

Progression within the mosaic technique developed the emblem, the "heart" of all mosaics. The word emblem is used to describe a small mosaic featuring a little genre scene or still life, characterised by particularly thin tesserae made separately and mounted in a central or important position in the main panel.

Notable examples

• The Alexander Mosaic from the House of the Faun, Pompeii.
• The Tomb of the Julii in the Vatican Necropolis, beneath St. Peter's Basilica, Rome.
• The Gladiator Mosaic from the Via Casilina outside Rome.
• The Zliten Mosaic from Zliten in Libya.

Gallery

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  Detail of Alexander Mosaic, depicting Alexander the Great

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  Neptune driving his chariot

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  Ulysses during his journey

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  Love scene, 1st century

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  Comedy Mask

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  Antioch Mosaic

See also

• Roman art
• Roman architecture
• Late Antique and medieval mosaics in Italy
• Lod Mosaic Archaeological Center

External links

• Mosaics of Roman Britain
• Association for the Study and Preservation of Roman Mosaics
• Discovery of Roman mosaic in Lod, Israel