The House of Dionysus

Published 29th of February, 2020

Vintage Scenes

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In the centre of the room there is a panel with vintage scenes.

Detail

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I particularly liked this little angel.

The Triumph of Dionysos

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This mosaic is below a walkway which spans the room.


The first panel, located to the west boundaries of the room, presents the Triumph of Dionysos. This scene, according to mythology, depicts the god’s triumphal return from a military campaign in India, from where he brought back Indian slaves and panthers. Centrally, seated on a two-wheeled chariot, is Dionysos, crowned with ivy leaves.

On either side of the mosaic, there are two small panels depicting the Dioscouroi, Castor and Pollux, both wearing military clothes and holding a spear and their horse’s reins.

Geometric Mosaic

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Room 5

Geometric mosaic

Central panel with repeating and adjoining star patterns.

Phaedra and Hippolytos

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Room 6

Phaedra and Hippolytos

The mosaic depicts Hippolytos on the left accompanied by his dog in a hunting scene. Hippolytos looks embarrassed while reading Phaedra’s love letter. Phaedra, Hippolytos’ stepmother, is shown on the right, sitting on a throne, anxiously awaiting the young man’s reaction. The burning torch that Cupid directs towards her hear is a testimony to her passion.


The most common legend regarding Hippolytus states that he was killed after rejecting the advances of Phaedra, his stepmother, the second wife of Theseus. Spurned, Phaedra deceived Theseus saying that his son had raped her. Theseus, furious, used one of the three wishes given to him by Poseidon to curse Hippolytus. Poseidon sent a sea-monster—or, alternatively, Dionysus sent a wild bull—to terrorize Hippolytus's horses, who dragged their rider to his death.

Source: wikipedia

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