Byzantine Floor Mosaic from Eastern Mediterranean

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James Blake Wiener
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published on 07 November 2017
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Byzantine Floor Mosaic from Eastern Mediterranean Download Full Size Image

This exceptional mosaic likely comes from the floor of a house or public building. It reflects the Late Romand and Early Byzantine taste for intricate and colorful designs. It dates from c. 325-350 CE and is made of limestone tesserae. The central panel shows a eoos within a grape vine and has an inscription placed with the wreath. (Translation from ancient Greek: "The mosaic was finished on the 16th of April, in the 10th indiction year of the...in the year 104.") The central areas is framed by an elaborate geometic border containing four smaller panels with baskets of flowers and/or geometric motifs. (Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto)

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About the Author

James Blake Wiener
James is a writer and former Professor of History. He holds an MA in World History with a particular interest in cross-cultural exchange and world history. He is a co-founder of World History Encyclopedia and formerly was its Communications Director.

Cite This Work

APA Style

Wiener, J. B. (2017, November 07). Byzantine Floor Mosaic from Eastern Mediterranean. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7566/byzantine-floor-mosaic-from-eastern-mediterranean/

Chicago Style

Wiener, James Blake. "Byzantine Floor Mosaic from Eastern Mediterranean." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified November 07, 2017. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7566/byzantine-floor-mosaic-from-eastern-mediterranean/.

MLA Style

Wiener, James Blake. "Byzantine Floor Mosaic from Eastern Mediterranean." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 07 Nov 2017. Web. 26 Feb 2025.

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