Member of
Linked Agent
Photographer: Angela Kalinowski
Resource Type
Genre
Physical Form
Extent
1 item
Subject
Temporal Subject
Note
Dates to c. late 3rd century CE (Dunbabin 1978: p.267). The fragmentary inscription MORI is said to be part of the name LVSIVS MORINVS; originally it was interpreted as the name of a venator, but Dunbabin indicates its more likely representative of a munerarius who had given a munus to the public (Dunbabin 1978: p.73). The bears are most likely specially trained performers as indicated by the bear climbing a pole in the middle of the mosaic (Dunbabin 1978: p.72). This type of 'animal-catalogue' was used as a commemoration of the animals that were included in a munus (Dunbabin 1978: p.72). It was most likely part of a triclinium (Dunbabin 2016: p.201).
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Access Condition
Attributed to Angela Kalinowski under the license CC-BY-NC 4.0
Abstract
Partial mosaic depicting a variety of animals that would be used in amphitheatre spectacles. There are seven rows of approximately three animals each that are arranged in alternating patterns: bear flanked by boars or bulls and a boar or bull flanked by bears, with the exception of the bottom row which also includes a deer and an ostrich (Dunbabin 1978: p.72). The bears are all named: --] ITVS, NILVS, FEDRA, ALECSANDRIA, SIMPLICIVS, GLORIOSVS, BRACIATVS. The only remaining bull of this mosaic has the stable mark of AR and number N XVI on its flank and is the only animal on this mosaic that is numbered (Dunbabin 1978: p.72). The number XVI on the bull most likely references how many bulls took part in the spectacle (Dunbabin 2016: p.201). The partial inscription of MORI is found at the top left.
Institution Name
Origin Place Name
Maxula, Radès
Origin Country
Tunisia
Language Code