In an apsidal room to the south of the southern peristyle a polychrome mosaic was found in 1845 (mosaic 4). The room was perhaps a living room. The entrance was in the western side wall, near the apse. Unfortunately the mosaic was largely destroyed by someone in 1846. A good copy was made before this act of vandalism. The mosaic is known as the "Triton mosaic". In the apse, above a row shells, was Triton, the son of Neptunus and Amphitrite. Half man half fish, surrounded by sea creatures, he blows a horn. Below the shells is the head of Oceanus. His head is between acanthus tendrils that surround the lower part of the mosaic.
Click on the image to enlarge. Mosaic 4 (Von Gonzenbach 1961, nr. 3).
Meas. 5.25 x 9.35 m. Paunier et al. 2016, fig. 229.The main part of the mosaic is made up of seven rows of four medallions. Between the medallions are small squares with birds, a squirrel and drinking cups.
Details of birds and a drinking cup. Photo: Von Gonzenbach 1961, Taf. 56-57.In the centre of the first row, already damaged at the time of the discovery, seem to have been Orpheus with a lyre and a Maenad. In the centre of the second and fourth row were the heads of the Four Seasons, depicted diagonally. They were flanked by animals, which also occupied the third row.
Detail of a hare. Photo: Von Gonzenbach 1961, Taf. 55.In the centre of the fifth row were Theseus, holding a shepherd's crook, and the sleeping Ariadne. After killing the Minotaurus in the Cretan labyrinth, Theseus is boarding a ship on the island of Naxos. He abandons Ariadne. On either side were lions.
Detail of Theseus boarding a ship. Photo: Luginbühl et al. 2001, fig. 94.
Detail of the sleeping Ariadne. Photo: Von Gonzenbach 1961, Taf. 55.
Detail of a lion. Photo: Wikimedia, Leemburg-CH.In the centre of the sixth row were a head of Medusa and a female head between rosettes. The seventh row had four rosettes.
Detail of Medusa. Photo: Pro Urba.
Detail of a rosette. Photo: Wikimedia, Leemburg-CH.
Detail of a rosette. Photo: Pro Urba.
[15-Mar-2024]
