Day 62 - Roman mosaic with Egyptian figures

June 27, 2018

Galley 169 displays objects from the Roman empire. Many things catch my attention. There's a coin, minted at Tarsus, that shows a sailing ship and commemorates a shipment of grain to that city, and for the first time, I really understand the allure of coin collecting, for what the coins tells us about their users and what they prized. There's a small glass flask whose yellow and blue tones identify it as having been made in Cologne (a Roman city, I'm reminded).  There's a marble sarcophagus lid depicting a reclining couple, with his arm  draped affectionately around her shoulder, though her face (not his) is unfinished; the caption speculates that perhaps it was commissioned in advance and he then predeceased her. There's an under life-size  marble portrait head of an intelligent-looking, jowly man; what's unique about it is that his head is turned to the right rather than directly facing the viewer. 

 I decide to write about a square mosaic floor, perhaps 10 fet on a side, that dates from around 130-150 C.E. and was found near Rome. Its background combines geometric forms (squares, octagons, diamonds) with floral and coiling forms in a harmonious but not particularly interesting way. What is interesting is the cental square, which depicts an Egyptian priest making an offering to a seated Isis. The representation of human figures and the colors used (predominantly blue, with earth tones and  light and dark shades of green) are both eye-catching. 

The caption notes Egypt's fascination for the Romans as a land of great wealth and antiquity,  and, correspondingly, the incorporation of Egyptian motifs into architecture, statuary, and, as here, the home decor of wealthy Romans. It is easy (though perhaps overly simple) to think of the Romans as confident in and proud of their military prowess but less secure about their cultural leadership and thus, both willing and eager to cede pride of place to Egypt and to Greece. It will be interesting, when I finally get to the American wing, to think about the extent to which our own country has traversed the same path of obeisance and homage to European culture.  But on a more personal note, when I hang a print showing the Theater of Marcellus in my living room, how much am I trying to show a familiarity with and respect for a culture that long preceded me? I trust that doesn't label me as insecure (at least in this respect).