The Ancient Greek Mosaics of Paphos

The ancient metropolis of Paphos inwards Republic of Cyprus , was ane time the uppercase of the isle during the Greco-Roman catamenia (3rd century BC to third century AD). In those days , the metropolis had about of the finest villas inwards the Eastern Mediterranean belonging to Roman governors in addition to rich noblemen. The floors of these villas were adorned alongside beautiful mosaic fine art depicting scenes from ancient Greek mythology , alongside representations of Greek gods , goddesses in addition to heroes , also equally activities of everyday life. The mosaics are made from small-scale cubes of marble in addition to rock which were called tesserae in addition to drinking glass glue was used to broaden the gain of coloring that was available inwards those days. Many of these villas in addition to their mosaic floors were discovered entirely during the yesteryear l years during archeological excavation. Many of these sites are however beingness excavated today.

The mosaics tin hold upwards seen on mainly 4 houses — the House of Dionysus , the House of Orpheus , the House of Aion , in addition to the House of Theseus. The houses are named subsequently the dependent champaign of mosaics flora there.

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Photo credit: David Haberthür/Flickr

The House of Dionysus is the largest in addition to contains the most impressive mosaics , most representing Dionysus , the ancient Greek god of wine. The family was constructed towards the halt of the sec century AD , in addition to it is presumed to accept been ruined in addition to abandoned subsequently the devastating earthquakes that striking the isle inwards the quaternary century AD. The most notable mosaic shows Dionysos on a chariot counseling the nymph Akme in addition to drinking wine. Other mosaics push clitoris mythological , hunting in addition to vintage scenes. These mosaics embrace near 550 foursquare meters of floor.

The House of Orpheus was named subsequently the principal mosaic flora inwards the family , that depicts Orpheus surrounded yesteryear beasts listening to him play his lyre. Other mosaics flora include ane depicting Hercules in addition to the Panthera leo of Nemea in addition to about other of Amazon.

The House of Theseus is the largest Roman villa flora inwards Republic of Cyprus built inwards the belatedly sec century , in addition to so it is believed to accept been the domicile of a governor. The family was inwards work fifty-fifty subsequently the catastrophic earthquake. The house’s principal mosaic shows Theseus killing the Minotaur. These mosaics are less good preserved , in addition to opened upwards to the elements.

The House of Aion is the smallest in addition to basically contains ane large mosaic showing 5 scenes. At the exceed left is Leda in addition to Zeus disguised equally a swan. In the exceed correct corner is a pic of infant nymphs alongside the infant Dionysus. The oculus pic shows ocean nymphs inwards a beauty competitor , beingness judged yesteryear Aion. In the bottom row Dionysus appears ane time to a greater extent than inwards a triumphal procession , in addition to the in conclusion pic shows Apollo punishing the loser of a musical duel.

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