Chris asked me to visit the Roman Mosaic (ca 300 A.D.), found in Lod Israel in 1996, and brought to the Metropolitan Museum in 2010. It was mid afternoon when I visited the mosaic, and the light cast shadows on the floor, so I apologize for the poor photo. I could put in a better photo that I found online, but part of the fun of this project has been sharing the pictures I took and seeing these works for our class—hopefully bringing these masters closer to Rexburg, Idaho.The mosaic was found in near perfect condition because no one knew it existed until a1996 archeological dig found the ruins of a Roman house. Scholars think this mosaic floor covering must have been in a reception room because of its 
size and motifs. These three panels (you will see the panels divided by geometric borders) combine for a total of 13 wide and 27 feet long. The exhibition only shows three of the seven panels found at the site. The images in the mosaic are deemed frivolous by scholars because they show land and sea animals rather than religious or governmental images. I’m not sure that something so painstakingly created (look at the detailing in these patterns) should be labeled frivolous. Perhaps that’s because we don’t know the story behind these animals. Does knowing or not knowing the story behind these animals diminish the mosaic’s value for you? Why/why
not?
size and motifs. These three panels (you will see the panels divided by geometric borders) combine for a total of 13 wide and 27 feet long. The exhibition only shows three of the seven panels found at the site. The images in the mosaic are deemed frivolous by scholars because they show land and sea animals rather than religious or governmental images. I’m not sure that something so painstakingly created (look at the detailing in these patterns) should be labeled frivolous. Perhaps that’s because we don’t know the story behind these animals. Does knowing or not knowing the story behind these animals diminish the mosaic’s value for you? Why/why
not?What struck me were the multiple levels of artistry in this mosaic. First, developing the design of these animals, fish, ships, and geometric patterns. Next, creating the design in thousands and thousands of tiles that are each less than an inch in diameter. Finally, laying this mosaic with such skill that it would stay intact for over 1,700 years . . . Wow!
As a History Major I find the notion that any of these frescos are "frivolous" a laughable assumption. The pure fact that you don't come across too many frescos intact like this should make these frescos a particularly valuable find. Which means the story behind them is of no consequence. These frescos clearly depict the daily lives of the ancient residents of Israel. From local wildlife, to the depiction of shipping and the fish that are in the sea suggest an awareness of their lives. Perhaps these frescos were just for looks, but the skill and craft that goes into them isn't something just any one person can do. They clearly do not know what building these frescos accompanied. Perhaps it was a museum (they had museums in those days, believe it or not), or it belonged to a game and fishing lodge. Maybe the frescos accompanied a certain theme to some ancient baths. Whatever the case, it doesn't really matter that much. It clear that the artist and the patron had a love for the country they lived in, and wanted it to show in their life.
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