POLYCHROME EMBLEMA FROM TOR MARANCIA, C. 150 CE. VATICAN MUSEUMS This is how we do it Roman-style. From a dig in 1817-1823 on the estate of Tor Marancia this small-tessera mosaic emerged from the ruins of a C2 CE villa. The mosaic begins with a nested series of black and white frames, beginning on the outside edges with a lotus-like pattern in white formed by overlapping half-circles. Further in, a braid of guilloches surrounds a white frame and then a checkerboard pattern. Hanging from the inmost frame are a plucked fowl and a fish, with a large bundle of dates from a palm next to them at right. Below, a bucket of seafood stands next to another fish, and at lower right, a large bundle of, what else, asparagus. This vivid collection of food represents the intangible spirit of xenia, the love of the stranger, of the guest, which made a good centrepiece for a dining room.

For #MosaicMonday this week, an #emblema from the #triclinium of the villa of Numisia #Procula at #TorMarancia along the via #Ardeatina, c. 150 CE. The #polychrome centre is full of delicious delicacies representing the host's #xenia or guest-welcoming. #AncientBluesky 🏺

The mysteries surrounding Claudia Procula, Pontius Pilate's wife Claudia Procula, also known simply as Claudia or Procula, is a fascinating figure in biblical and apocryphal history. Though she is mentioned only once in the canonical Gospels, her influence and the reflections on her life have intrigued historians, theologians, and writers for centuries. This arti

The mysteries surrounding Claudia #Procula, Pontius Pilate's wife #religion #Bible ✝️