Orpheus Mosaic at Paphos, Cyprus

Orpheus Mosaic at Paphos, Cyprus, originally uploaded by Ken and Nyetta.

This is the mosaic that gives "The House of Orpheus" its name. Orpheus was the human who first invented music (or, depending on the version of the legend, learned music from Apollo) and his singing and playing was said to be so wonderful that the animals of the forest gathered around to listen, as shown in the mosaic. Actually, the most common Orpheus myths said that even the plants and rocks would draw near when he played.

The House of Orpheus is located just a little past the House of Theseus, near what would have been the ancient seashore of Paphos.