Dionysus mosaic, Samatya

The Dionysus mosaic found in Samatya, Istanbul, was uncovered in 1995 while the lot it was discovered in was under construction.[1] It could have been created between the 4th and 5th century, with evidence supporting it to be from the later part of the 5th century.[2] The mosaic is severely damaged due to construction machinery, and much of the piece is missing because of the urban landscape. What remains is a traditional Byzantine mosaic depicting the chariot of Dionysus, with a grand thiasos, or parade of followers circled around the god of wine.[2]

This article is about the mosaic in Samatya. For the mosaic in Dion, see Dionysus mosaic, Dion.

Design

The mosaic itself was 2.5 meters by 10 meters at the time of excavation.[1] It consists of a square panel that is defined by two bands; the bands are multi-colored guilloches.[1] Within the square panel are two circles; one within the other. These circles are framed by laurel wreaths that are created by a sawlike pattern band with colored fillets. Between the square panel and the outermost circle is the embodiment of Winter; a female dressed for winter with a green mantle.[3] In the area between the first and second circle is Dionysus's thiasos. The thiasos is seen moving in a clockwise rotation with figures that include Silenos sitting on a mule supported by a satyr, a dancing maenad with an unidentified object in her hand, a male flutist, and a child with no clothes sitting upon a goat.[1] All of these people and beings are from stories in Greek mythology related to Dionysus.

In the center of the mosaic is the chariot of Dionysus.[1] This part of the mosaic is severely damaged and is missing much of the original piece. What remains of the center is the eight-spoked wheel of a chariot car that is piled with the garlands of Dionysus's chariot.[1] Behind the chariot is the illustration of a panther with a red strap; the purpose of the pictured red strap is unknown.[1] Dionysus is often depicted wearing the skin of a panther, and usually wore this article of clothing during times of war[4]

Materials

The artist(s) of this piece used baked clay, natural stone, and marble tesserae to create the mosaic.[1] The color palette consists of black, brown, green, pink, red, white, and yellow. Mosaics were a very popular type of floor art throughout the Byzantine Empire.[5]

Meaning

There are several theories as to why Dionysus and his entourage were depicted in a Byzantine home. The first is the influence of the Dionysiaca of Nonnus of Panopolis, one of the only surviving poems of Dionysus from the 5th century.[6] It was common during this era to use manuscripts, such as the Dionysiaca, as muses for art pieces like the Dionysus mosaic.[6] Dionysiaca gives a detailed account of Dionysus's life, and includes characters depicted in the mosaic; the characters are also considered to be a part of the Dionysian cycle.[7] The adventurous nature of the poem could be considered a reason for the depiction of Dionysus in this Byzantine mosaic.[6]

Another reason for Dionysus's appearance in the mosaic is the item he is most affiliated with wine.[2] The mosaic is showcased in what would have been a reception room of a wealthy person, where lavish parties would have been thrown.[1][2] Dionysus is often pictured in manuscripts and illustrations hosting drinking parties, which could have been the reason for including the god of wine and his thiasos in the room where guests would have been entertained.

References
  1. Dalgic, Orgu (2015). "The Triumph of Dionysus in Constantinople: A Late 5th Century Mosaic in Context". Dumbarton Oaks Papers. 69: 15–47 – via Academia.
  2. Dalgic, Orgu (2010). "The Corpus of Floor Mosaics of Constantinople". Byzanz – das Römerreich im Mittelalter. Monographien des Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum. pp. 127–134.
  3. Campbell, Lewis (1898). Religion in Greek Literature. Longmans, Green, and Co. pp. 242–244.
  4. Stassinopoulos, Arianna; Beny (1983). The Gods of Greece. New York: Harry N. Abrams Inc. Publishers. pp. 97–113. ISBN 0810909588.
  5. Cormack, Ryan (2000). Byzantine Art. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0192842110.
  6. Weitzmann, Kurt (1951). Greek Mythology in Byzantine Art. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
  7. Buxton, Richard (2004). The Complete World of Greek Mythology. London: Thames & Hudson. pp. 20. ISBN 9780500251218.
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