MOSAIC

Mosaic is the art of creating images with an assemblage of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials. The earliest known examples of mosaics made of different materials were found at a temple building in Ubaid, Mesopotamia, and are dated to the second half of 3nd millennium BCE. They consist of pieces of colored stones, shells and ivory. Excavations at Susa and Choqa Zanbil show evidence of the first glazed tiles, dating from around 1500 BCE. Mosaics of the 4th century BCE are found in the Macedonian palace-city of Aegae and enriched the floors of Hellenistic villas, and Roman dwellings from Britain to Dura - Europos. Splendid mosaic floors are found in Roman villas across north Africa, in places such as Carthage, and can still be seen in the extensive collection in Bardo Museum in Tunis, Tunisia. The most famous mosaics of the Roman world were created in Africa and in Syria, the richest provinces of theRoman Empire. Many Roman mosaics are found in Tunisian museums, most of which date from the second to the seventh century CE. The most popular subject for mosaics was mythological scenes, such as the triumphs of Neptune or Dionysos, which are frequently found. The Orpheus myth (with animals) and the muses (Clio, Melpomene, Thalia, Terpsichore, Urania, Euterpe, Calliope, Polyhymnia and Erato), sometimes with the god Apollo, are also often illustrated. Inspiration could also come from daily life, like hunting (often with dogs), agriculture, fishing, as well as arts and crafts. Amphitheater and circus games were also a much-appreciated subject for mosaics. The four seasons and the sea (fish, the god Oceanos) are also the subject of numerous mosaics. The seasons were illustrated like people, with a caracteristical object to identify them.999