Mosaic floors, like this one, were part of everyday life in ancient Rome. They were a common feature of Roman houses and public buildings. This mosaic panel probably decorated the entranceway to the central courtyard of a Roman villa. The mosaic was discovered in an olive grove at the site of Daphne, a popular vacation spot in Roman times. Wealthy Romans living in Antioch, the major city in Roman Syria, flocked to Daphne to escape the noise and heat of the big city. Here, they built vacation homes, and decorated them with colorful and ornate wall paintings and mosaic floors.

The Romans, however, made a distinction between mosaics and wall paintings like the ones you might have seen in the other galleries. They considered mosaic a more public form of art, one that the master or mistress of the house could share with visitors. As a respectable Roman, you really would not show a visitor the wall paintings that decorated your bedroom and other private areas of your home. On the other hand, you’d very likely call attention to mosaics, like this one, in your courtyard or dining area where you entertained your guests. These elaborate mosaic floors were another way to impress others with one’s wealth and social standing.