Mosaics in Roman Britain : stories in stone / Patricia Witts.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Witts, Patricia.

Contributor:

George Clapp Vaillant Book Fund.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Pavements, Mosaic--Great Britain.

Pavements, Mosaic.

Mosaics, Roman--Great Britain.

Mosaics, Roman.

Great Britain.

Physical Description:

192 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

Stroud : Tempus, 2005.

Summary:

The stories illustrated in mosaics graphically link us to the world of the Romans. When we look at a figured scene, we are seeing exactly what the Roman viewer saw - give or take a crumbling tessera or two. Portrayed on pavements were love stories, tales of heroes and images of deities. Roman culture, the passing of time, and the evocation of protection and prosperity were popular themes along with scenes from the arena and the hunt.

Nearly 200 figured mosaics are known from Roman Britain. A substantial number still survive and can be enjoyed in museums and sites throughout the country, while superb antiquarian illustrations record others that have since been lost. This book identifies the figures, explains what they would have meant to a contemporary viewer and discusses their significance. It is complemented by a wealth of illustrations, a gazetteer and an extensive bibliography, making it a valuable reference work as well as a readable account of the scenes on the mosaics and the myths that inspired many of them.

Contents:

2 Love stories 27

3 Stories of heroes 43

4 Rome, religion and culture 57

5 Personifications of time 77

6 Images of protection and prosperity 93

7 Gods 109

8 Goddesses 131

9 The arena and the hunt 145

10 The messages in the mosaics 155

Gazetteer 170.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 179-185) and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the George Clapp Vaillant Book Fund.

ISBN:

0752434217

OCLC:

61301560