Roman mosaic floor panel, 2nd century A.D. The rectangular panel represents the entire decorated are
Roman mosaic floor panel, 2nd century A.D. The rectangular panel represents the entire decorated area of a floor and was found together with another mosaic in an olive grove at Daphne-Harbiye in 1937. In Roman times, Daphne was a popular holiday resort, used by the wealthy citizens and residents of Antioch as a place of rest and refuge from the heat and noise of the city. American excavations at Daphne in the late 1930s uncovered the remains of several well-appointed houses and villas, including the one that contained this mosaic. At its center is a panel (emblema) with the bust of a woman, decked out with a wreath of flowers around her head and a floral garland over her left shoulder. Traditionally identified as Spring, the figure is probably the representation of a more generic personification of abundance and good living, well suited to the luxurious atmosphere created at Daphne by its rich patrons. [X] [X] [X] -- source link
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