A Few of My Favorite Ancient Mosaics

In my travels around what was once the Classical world I have been fortunate to view hundreds of ancient mosaics – in situ floor mosaics, wall and ceiling mosaics and mosaic panels mounted in museums. I’ve pulled together a few images here illustrating some of these, with captions. Enjoy!

Mosaic Panel, House of the Neptune Mosaic, Herculaneum

Mosaic floor, Women’s changing rooms, Central Baths, Herculaneum

Simple Black & White Mosaic Floor, House of the Alcove, Herculaneum

Floor Mosaic, Square of the Guilds, Ostia Antica

Neptune Mosaic, Baths of Neptune, Ostia Antica

Mosaic Floor, Pompeii

Mosaic, Imperial Palace flanked by saints & martyrs, Sant’Apollinare, Ravenna

Procession of Virgins, Mosaic, Santa’Apollinare, Ravenna

Late Roman floor mosaic, House of Eustolios, Kourion, Cyprus

Late Roman mosaic at Kourion, Cyprus depicting Ktisis (meaning creation, foundation or eternity)

Mosaic panel with dolphins, from a Roman house in Halicarnassos (now Turkey) 4th Century AD

Fragment of a Roman floor mosaic found in London. Museum of London

Roman floor mosaic from a villa in Verulamium (modern St Albans), England

Roman mosaic on display, Verulamium Museum (St Albans), England