The height of the mosaic in Roman times
If the mosaic existed before the Romans, the latter knew how to give him all its letters of nobility with a perfect mastery of this art that they have spread throughout the Mediterranean basin. Between the second andfifth century, the mosaic was at its peak in Tunisia.
Among the most famous Roman mosaics, that of "Odysseus and the mermaids", which is in the National Museum of Bardo in Tunis. It was discovered on the archaeological site of Dougga and dates from the third century (260-268). This mosaic of 3.80 meters high and 1.30 meters wide represents Odysseus, the mythological hero of Homer'sOdyssey, king of Ithaca, tied by the hands to the mast of a boat to resist the song of the sirens. He is surrounded by four companions sitting, ears probably plugged with wax so as not to hear the famous song of the mermaids.
This mosaic was found on the same peristyle of the site of Dougga that another famous mosaic, "Neptune and pirates", also dating from the Roman period, around the second century. It represents the god of living waters and springs, according to Roman mythology, in a scene called Dionysian, facing pirates on a boat.
The third major work of the Roman period (first century), which is also in the Bardo Museum, is the "mosaic of Virgil," discovered in Sousse in 1896. It is one of the most famous representations of the poet. The latter is surrounded by Melpomene, the muse of tragedy and Clio, the muse of history.
Finally, a last Roman mosaic of great importance is that of "the Lady of Carthage". It was discovered on the archaeological site of Carthage, now Tunis, in 1953, in a villa of the time. Archaeologists and scientists who have studied the dating of this mosaic, mention thefifth century, without much precision. The Lady of Carthage was in the center of a larger mosaic. You will discover it in the national museum of Carthage.
A testimony of the practices of the time
The mosaics discovered on the various archaeological sites of Tunisia, in Carthage, Sousse, Hadrumète, Dougga, El Jem, Oudhna (30 km from Tunis), or Bulle Régia, testify to the practices of the time. There are many scenes of daily life, from the home, to parties and banquets, through hunting or war. These are scenes of everyday life, such as the circus games or the harvest. Like the "Lady of Carthage", many portraits have also been found. Finally, the still life, "xenias" (plants, flowers, animals ...), are also much represented in mosaics.
The transmission of a know-how from generation to generation
These mosaics are declined endlessly and were mainly found in the homes of former bourgeois of the time. They were indeed a sign of external wealth. This know-how has been transmitted from generation to generation. Today, mosaics decorate the interior and exterior of homes and are found on all possible objects: tables, benches, dishes, or as a picture or on the ground. Their price makes them accessible to most people. The mosaics are composed of fragments of stone, ceramic, enamel or glass, assembled to form a pattern. They are exported internationally, particularly in France, the United States and Canada.
