great detail
Showing posts with label ancient mosaics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ancient mosaics. Show all posts
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Friday, September 15, 2006
Orpheus Mosaic at Paphos, Cyprus
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.
Mosaic floor
This house was off-limits to entry, but we could take pictures through the door. Notice the uneven, corrugated appearance of the atrium after the entry hall; the ground shifted at the time of the eruption. This is more apparent in the next picture. Also, note the swastika in the middle row of the patterns in the entryway; it was a good luck charm.
Herculaneum - wall mosaic
This mosaic is in the same room as the Neptune mosaic, which is off to the right just out of the field of view.
Neptune mosaic
This beautiful decoration features Neptune and Amphitrite, and gives a name to the house containing it: the House of the Neptune Mosaic.
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