Photo Gallery: Antioch Mosaics
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A richly illustrated guide to the world's sacred places,
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Mosaic bust of Dionysus from the "Constantinian Villa" in Daphne, room 1. This was one of eight circular or oblong medallions that served as filling motifs for a meander-and-square pattern that formed the rectangular section of a large pavement covereing the reception hall. The square segment of the floor is now in the Louvre (Ma 3444).
Dionysus wears a spotted skin over one shoulder and a vine wreath (made of green glass) with a yellow pointed conical headdress. His followers - dancing maenads and satyrs, along with Silenos - fill the other medallions and emphasize the Dionysiac theme of this part of the room. Right below the bust of Dionysus was an elliptical medallion of the resting Heracles (in the Princeton Art Museum); together the mosaics evoke the Drinking Contest scene depicted in two mosasics at Antioch (see here and here).
The unusual depiction of Dionysus with a conical headdress alludes to his role as renewer of nature. This theme is reinforced by a mosaic scene directly above Dionysus depicting offerings being made to Artemis, and others of hunting and pastoral scenes.
325-50 AD. Marble, limestone and glass, 46-1/4 in. X 46-1/4 in. Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, 40.195. Information from Antioch: The Lost Ancient City
, p. 205-06.
Related pages:
Antioch
Timeline of Antioch
Antioch Artifacts Photos
Turkey Photos