Roman Mosaics

Mosaics are specific drawings, images, or representations that are created on tile, stone, or glass. They were created during the Roman era and were typically painted on walls or floors. The idea for these mosaics came about because the Romans had a tradition of recording practically all of their day-to-day activities as a history to be passed down to subsequent generations. In the Roman era, almost every home had distinctive art on the walls, floors, and ceilings. However, the Greek mosaics served as an inspiration for the Roman mosaics. The Roman mosaic was well-known around the world. It began with a simple illustration of a plant and progressed to intricate artwork with prominent individuals from Roman history and mythology.

The Alexander Mosaic, which included the well-known figure of Alexander the Great, was one of the most well-known mosaics. About 1.5 million tiny, cubed pieces of stone or glass, known as tesserae, were used to create it. Making mosaics was once done to beautify homes, other structures, and buildings while also keeping them cool. Paintings and other artwork were created on a single stone or tile, and they were subsequently joined to tell a story that portrayed Roman daily life.

Most of the wall mosaics that have survived are from Italian sites like Pompeii and Herculaneum. In contrast, floor mosaics, many of which come from the periphery of the Roman Empire, are much more likely to have survived. A particularly sizable collection of magnificent villas from contemporary Tunisia is housed in the Bardo National Museum in Tunis.