PS|MS124 6-215

Alisa Permessur February 27,2014

Roman Mosaics The Romans introduced beautiful mosaics in their architecture and in their places of worship. They were often very complicated and detailed, which were involving Romans lives, wars from the past, or mythical scenes. Roman mosaics were a common feature of homes and buildings across the empire. They are a priceless record of everyday items as clothes, food, weapons, pants and animals. They show Roman activities like gladiator contests, sports, and sometimes the Romans themselves.

Alexander the Great Technique: Mosaics are made with small black, white and colored squares with fine details used even smaller pieces These squares were cut from materials such as marble, tile, glass, pottery, stone and shells. A base was first prepared with fresh mortar and the squares positioned as close together as possible with any gaps. Then it was filled with

liquid filling in a process known as grouting. The mosaics was cleaned and polished. Influence: In Greece, the first pebble flooring were made with examples at Corinth and Olynthus. These were in two shades with light regular designs and simple figures on a dark background. By the end of 400 BCE, colors were being used and many examples have been found in Macedonia. Inserting strips of lead covered these mosaics; it was often used to mark outlines. Many of these mosaics were attempted to copy modern wall paintings. As mosaics changed in 200 BCE, smaller and more cut squares were used, and design a wide range of colors with cultured filing to match surrounding squares. This particular type of mosaic was much copied for centuries after. The work of mosaics were often removed from reusing it elsewhere, and handed down from generation to generation within families. When the Hellenistic Period began, these roman mosaics were hung up everywhere. Floor Designs: Floors could also be laid using larger pieces to create designs on a grander scale. Opus signinum flooring used red with white squares placed to create broad patterns or even scattered randomly. Crosses using five red squares and a center square in black were a very common theme in Italy. Opus sectile was a second type of flooring, which used large colored stone or marble slabs cut into certain shapes. Opus sectile was another technique of Hellenistic origin, but the Romans expanded the technique to a wall decoration.

A Roman floor mosaic

Other Uses for Mosaics: Vaults, columns and fountains were often decorated with mosaic. In other locations pieces of marble and glass were also added. By the 100CE, more detailed mosaic panels were used to decorate villas and fountains. In Pompeii and Herculaneum the technique was also used to cover niches, walls and pediments. The walls and vaults of Roman baths were also decorated in mosaic using glass, which acted as a reflective of the sunlight hitting the pools, and created a shimmering effect. Once again, the Roman use of mosaics to decorate wall space and vaults would go on to influence the interior decorators of Christian churches.