Fragment of floor mosaic depicting Tethys in a marine background
250-275
Scroll
Fragment of floor mosaic depicting Tethys in a marine background
250-275
Physical Qualities
Stone and lime mortar, 76 1/4 x 53 5/8 x 2 5/16 in. (193.7 x 136.2 x 5.9 cm.)
Credit Line
Antioch Subscription Fund
Object Number
1937.118
Aquatic animals, fishing scenes, and busts of the freshwater goddess Tethys and her husband Oceanus recall the abundant springs and pools for which the ancient city of Daphne was famous. The scene of the god Zeus in the form of a bull abducting Europa, a Phoenician princess, focuses on their journey across the Mediterranean to Crete.
Water themes dominated the floors of the House of the Boat of Psyches. The BMA has multiple mosaic panels from this site—many of which can be seen to your right. The building’s suite of dining rooms opened onto a portico and a water feature. Scholars debate whether the building was a grand villa or served as a dining and entertainment venue.
Richard Stillwell, ed., "Antioch-on-the Orontes, II, The Excavations, 1932-1936," Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1938, p. 185, no. 51, pl. 39.
Doro Levi, "Antioch Mosaic Pavements," Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1947, vol. I, p. 167 ff, pl. IIxxxix.
"Object of the Week," The Baltimore Sun," Aug. 16, 1960, ill.
R. Stead, "Pavements from a Fabled City," "Pharos," Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, Florida, Fall/Winter 1964, pp. 5-8.
Don and Patricia Brothwell, "Food in Antiquity" (expanded ed.), Baltimore and London: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1969, cover.
Frances F. Jones, 'Antioch Mosaics in Princeton,' "Record of the Art Museum, Princeton University," 40, no. 2 (1981), p. 16 M50.
Sara M. Wages, 'A Note on the Dumbarton Oaks Tethys Mosaic,' "Dumbarton Oaks Papers 40," (1986), pp. 119-128.
Kondoleon, Christine, ed. Antioch: The Lost Ancient City. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press in association with the Worcester Art Museum, 2000, p. 172, ill.
Rogers, Dylan K. and Claire J. Wiess, eds. A Quaint & Curious Volume: Essays in Honor of John J. Dobbins. Oxford: Archaeopress Publishing Ltd, 2021
On View at the BMA
