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A Roman mosaic is a mosaic made in the Roman Empire or by Roman artists. The Romans would often have these mosaics in their homes as a sign of wealth and important, and in public buildings and bathhouses. See the fact file below for more information and facts about Roman mosaics.

  • Roman mosaics were very popular in homes and public building during the Roman Empire. There are many examples of mosaics that still exist today.
  • They were very detailed and complicated. Roman mosaics were made up of hundreds, sometimes thousands, of tiny coloured stones and gems called tesserae.
  • Each mosaic piece was stuck to the floor with mortar, a type of cement.
  • Mosaics would show pictures of Roman history and everyday Roman life. These mosaic images provide an insight into what Roman life was like and how they lived.
  • Mosaic floors were a sign of wealth and importance. They were used for decoration, and to show people how rich you were, were Roman mosaics were also very strong surfaces for walking on and were sometimes used as signs or for advertising.
  • Roman mosaics were waterproof and easy to clean. This made mosaics very popular in public buildings and Roman bathhouses. They reflect light very well and were used to brighten up rooms.
  • Designers of Roman mosaics were considered craftsmen, not artists. Unlike artists they would not sign their work or take credit for it.
  • Mosaics would often feature geometric designs and other images. Common mosaic themes included animals, gladiators in battle, romantic images and scenes from both mythology and astronomy.
  • There are many well preserved examples of Roman mosaics in the UK. Some of the best Roman mosaics can be find in The British Museum in London, The Roman Museum has an excellent mosaic collection and is based in Cirencester – which was once an important Roman town.
  • The Roman Empire was very large and covered many parts of the world. This is why there are examples of well preserved Roman mosaics all over Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
  • Mosaics in the city of Pompeii, an ancient city in southern Italy are some of the best in the world. Pompeii was buring under lava in 79 AD when the volcano Mount Vesuvius erupted. The layers of volcanic ash protected the mosaics and have kept them very well preserved.
  • Many Roman mosaics in Pompeii said “Beware of the Dog” in Latin. This was because Romans liked to keep dogs – both as companions and pets – and so this message was placed in the mosaic design.
  • Mosaics were also used on ceilings and walls. These were not as common as floor mosaics though. A wall mosaic was common behind fountains and they would usually have a maritime theme.

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Link will appear as Roman Mosaic Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, February 12, 2015

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