Each of the mosaics is singposted and has a handy map. However, we found the map to be a bit confusing, as it also showed rooms that were not in the covered section, including some that were numbered (from 18 onwards). We have highlighted the covered area so you can see more clearly where you are.

We repeat the map two more times during the course of the blog, so there's no need to try and memorise it!

I should point out as well that in order to get these full-on pictures we have had to use Photoshop to change the perspective. We weren't directly above the mosaics when we took the pictures.

Room 1

“Scylla” pebble mosaic floor.

The pebble mosaic floor belongs to a Hellenstic building and depicts Scylla, the mythical sea-monster who is part-woman, part-fish and part-dog. She is illustrated holding a ship mast and a trident and is surrounded by illustraions of sea life.

Late 4th/early 3 cent. B.C.

In the Paphos Archaeological Guide - available at the Information Centre near the entrance, there is some more information about this mosiac:

The mosaic composition of Skylla

The preserved examples of the domestic architecture of the Hellenistic city are very sparse. Among the examples still remaining is a floor from the end of the 4th century B.C. discovered under the foundations of the Roman "House of Dionysos". One of the most important mosaic compositions in the whole of Hellenistic Cyprus is laid out on this floor. It is unique work without parallel made of miniature black, white and red pebbles shaped by the sea, and portrays the terrifying and awesome sea-monster of legend, Skylla. The portrayal; of Skylla shows her as half woman half fish with three enraged dogs springing from her waist. In her right hand she holds a trident, and a ship's brokem mast in her left on.e This exceptional mosaic, the oldest in all Cyprus, recalls style of the Hellenistic pebble mosaics of Pella, in Macedonia.

[72]

Room 2

“Narcissus” Mosaic

Representation of Narcissus, son of a river-god and a nymph, admiring his reflection in the lake water.

This and all the remaining mosaics come from the same time period: late 2nd/early 3rd century A.D.

Room 3

The Four Seasons Mosaic

Central panel, consisting of nine smaller panels. The panels with anthropomorphic representations are: centrally, an unidentifiable figure (probably Dionysos, Aion, or the personification of some concept such as the genius of the Year), and in the for corners, the personifications of the Four Seasons. Summer and Spring are represented in the upper forners, while Winter and Fall in the lower corners.

In Roman architecture, a tablinum was a room generally situated on one side of the atrium and opposite to the entrance; it opened in the rear onto the peristyle, with either a large window or only an anteroom or curtain.

And in case you were wondering what the "peristyle" was, according to Wikipedia it was a courtyard surrounded by columns.

The tablinum has a number of murals, which we shall look at in turn.