The Nile Mosaic of Palestrina

Early Evidence of Egyptian Religion in Italy

Paul G.P. Meyboom (Autor)

Buch | Softcover

500 Seiten

2016
Brill (Verlag)
978-90-04-28384-8 (ISBN)

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The Nile Mosaic of Palestrina, dating to c. 100 B.C., presents a unique and enigmatic picture of Egypt. This study demonstrates that the mosaic depicts rituals connected with the yearly inundation of Egypt, and will explain how it was that such scenes could be found in Central Italy at this early date.

The famous Nile Mosaic of Palestrina, ancient Praeneste in central Italy, dating to c. 100 B.C., is one of the earliest large mosaics which have been preserved from the classical world. It presents a unique, comprehensive picture of Egypt and Nubia. The interpretation of the mosaic is disputed, suggestions ranging from an exotic decoration to a topographical picture or a religious allegory.
The present study demonstrates that the mosaic depicts rituals connected with Isis and Osiris and the yearly Nile flood. The presence of these Egyptian religious scenes at Praeneste can be explained by the assimilation of isis and Fortuna, the tutelary goddess of Praeneste, and by the interpretation of the mosaic as a symbol of divine providence.

P. G.P. Meyboom is assistant professor of Classical Archaeology at Leiden University.

Erscheint lt. Verlag	11.2.2016
Verlagsort	Leiden
Sprache	englisch
Maße	155 x 235 mm
Gewicht	776 g
Themenwelt	Geisteswissenschaften ► Archäologie
	Geschichte ► Allgemeine Geschichte ► Altertum / Antike
	Geisteswissenschaften ► Religion / Theologie ► Weitere Religionen
ISBN-10	90-04-28384-6 / 9004283846
ISBN-13	978-90-04-28384-8 / 9789004283848
Zustand	Neuware