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The Agora => UK & World News => Topic started by: Maik on Sunday, 03 September, 2017 @ 12:00:10

Title: Ancient Greece in Roman Cotswolds
Post by: Maik on Sunday, 03 September, 2017 @ 12:00:10
Quote
Amateur archaeologists unearth rare Roman mosaic hailed as 'best seen in decades'

A well-preserved Roman mosaic, described as the “most exciting” discovery in decades, has been uncovered in Berkshire by a local community archaeology dig.

The mosaic, dated from around 4th century AD, features Bellerophon, a Greek hero, riding the winged horse Pegasus. The panel shows a scene where they attack the fire-breathing monster Chimera. As a reward for killing the beast which had a lion’s head, a goat’s body, and a serpent’s tail, Pegasus was offered the King Iobates’ daughter, Philonoe.

Joy Appleton from the Boxford History Project told The Independent: “I was stunned. It’s an amazing mosaic with so many figures. There is every Greek mythical figure found on a British site. The owner of the Roman villa in which the mosaic was found, [clearly] wanted to display his knowledge as there are so many characters and beasts from Greek mythology.”

Among the most spectacular scenes is Hercules killing a centaur, possibly Nessus, whose poisoned blood later caused the death of Hercules.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/berkshire-find-archaeology-roman-pegasus-hercules-st-george-a7925381.html