Ancient Mediterranean World and Mosaics

Pompeii was a city by the Mediterranean Sea shores that was hundred miles south of Rome in the ancient Rome empire. In 79 C.E., Mt. Vesuvius erupted and buried the city of Pompeii. Lava and ashes covered the city, protecting it from the outside world for sixteen centuries. Discovered in 1748, historians were able to understand and depict Roman culture, rituals, religious practices, and politics. Mosaics help us and historians understand the life of a wealthy Roman citizen in Pompeii.

Mosaics are pieces of art and images created with assembling little pieces of glass or stone. Square pieces of stone or glass are used as the material for mosaics. Mosaics were used as interior decorative art in Pompeii.

Pompeii's wealthy houses had mosaic floors, a common practice in ancient Rome. The mosaic with the marine creatures was a dining room mosaic floor. Pompeii was by the Mediterranean Sea shores, the mosaic depicts the food the people ate or captured. Mosaics depict everyday life or materials. Mosaics provide historians many insights to the ancient Rome life, culture, ritual, and religious practices.

Cave canem

Mosaics were even used as a sign to other people. Cave canem (Beware of the dog) mosaics were popular for Roman households.

Mosaics in ancient Rome, especially Pompeii, were used to show social status. Mosaics were used to entertain guests and recognition of their public status. The mosaic with the safari animals possibly displays the occupants wealth and experience in traveling.

Mosaics even depict political and historical events like Alexander the Great mosaic from the House of the Faun. The mosaic depicts Alexander the Great's defeat of Darius, the Persian king. Discovered in the largest house in Pompeii, the House of the Faun. The mosaic highlights the wealth and power of family who owned the house.

Mosaics give us insight of the ancient Roman citizen and ancient Roman culture, politics, daily life, social status, and religious rituals. 

Alexander the Great mosaic from the House of the Faun