Roman Mosaic Depicting Dionysus’ Discovery of Ariadne in Naxos, 3rd-4th century CE

Two weeks ago I returned to Madrid to visit the new Archaeological Museum. Spain’s National Archaeological Museum reopened to the public six months ago after a massive six-year revamp that ai…

Roman mosaics, Villa Romana del Casale, (4th century AD),

2nd-3rd c. Geometric Mosaic Zeugma Mosaic Museum. Gaziantep Turkey. Ancient Roman mosaic.

Detail of a mosaic showing Neptune and Amphitrite in a shell-shaped pavillion. In the courtyard of the House of Neptune and Amphitrite, Herculaneum.

With small tiles of marble and glass, Roman mosaicists created intricate mythological images, realistic scenes from nature, and other complex compositions to decorate the floors and walls of tombs, sanctuaries, and homes. Dalu Jones explores some mosaic masterpieces normally hidden in stores in Rome’s museums.