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Reconstructing the Mid-2nd Century CE Roman Bath Mosaic at Isthmia, Greece
Athens Institute for Education and Research (2022)
  • Sheba Akhtar, Prairie View A&M University
  • William J. Batson Jr, Prairie View A&M University
Abstract
Much of the joy and our extensive understanding of the ancient world is revealed through its mythology, sculpture, mosaics and architecture. We capture the story of the past and discover a sophisticated society, not unlike our own. The magnificent archaeological discoveries at Herculaneum and Pompeii, and throughout the Greco-Roman world, give pause. At Isthmia, the remains of a mid-2nd century CE Roman bath were discovered by Dr. Oscar Broneer in 1954, excavating for the University of Chicago. During the summer of 1995, one of the authors (William J. Batson Jr.) participated in the archaeological field work and assisted with the repair and reinstallation of the monochromatic mosaic as a student team member of The Ohio State University’s Excavations at Isthmia. In this paper, we hope to provide a better understanding of the purpose and meaning of this public bath and of its patrons. Our paper is the result of a synthesis of innovative measuring technology, the analysis of archaeological evidence and architectural composition, as well as the research of architectural history and mythological iconography. It is hoped that our efforts will serve as a meaningful bridge between the existing academic discourse related to Roman baths and the expanding knowledge about the classical world.
Keywords
  • Roman bath,
  • Isthmia,
  • Haliphron atlanticus,
  • mosaic,
  • Nereid
Disciplines
Publication Date
November 3, 2022
Citation Information
Sheba Akhtar and William J. Batson Jr. "Reconstructing the Mid-2nd Century CE Roman Bath Mosaic at Isthmia, Greece" Athens Institute for Education and Research (2022) ISSN: 2529-167X
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/sheba-akhtar/1/
Creative Commons license
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons CC_BY-NC International License.