Fragment of floor mosaic depiciting Narcissus
2nd century
Physical Qualities
Stone and lime mortar, top, 82 x 126 in.(208.4 x 320.1 cm.), weight: 3517.5 lbs.
bottom, 57 x 126 in.(144.8 x 320.1 cm.), weight: 2493.75 lbs.
Credit Line
Antioch Subscription Fund
Object Number
1938.710
The Greek letters at the top of this mosaic identify the figure as Narcissus, a beautiful youth who gazed into a pool of water and became captivated by his own beauty. Falling hopelessly in love with his reflection, he grew weak and died at pool's edge. A beautiful flower, the narcissus, grew up in his place.
Citizens of Antioch who were fond of pagan myths, honored Narcissus by placing his story in the center section of their mosaic floor. As the emblema, the image of Narcissus appears vastly different from the surrounding geometric patterns. Narcissus' soft hazy figure was no doubt copied from a sketch of a Roman wall painting that circulated in pattern books throughout the Roman Empire.
"Antioch-on-the Orontes, II, The Excavations, 1932-1936," Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1938, no. 126, p. 183, pl. 59-60.
Doro Levi, "Antioch Mosaic Pavements," Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1947, vol. I, p. 60-61, fig.23, vol. II, pl. x-b.
Inscribed: Face, "NAPKICOC"
On View: Cone Wing, Stairway
