The Nile Mosaic of Palestrina ― Early Evidence of Egyptian Religion in Italy

The famous Nile Mosaic of Palestrina, ancient Praeneste in central Italy, dating to c.100 BC, is one of the earliest large mosaics which have been preserved from the classical world. It presents a unique, comprehensive picture of Egypt and Nubia. The present study discusses the original appearance of the mosaic, the character and date of the building it originally adorned; gives a comprehensive description of the mosaic; provides an interpretation of the mosaic based on an iconographical analysis; explains the presence of the mosaic at Praeneste by means of an iconological study of other early examples of Egyptian scenes in Italy; and, finally, discusses the mosaic workshop and considers the cultural background of the mosaic. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

P. G. P. Meyboom is assistant professor of Classical Archaeology at Leiden University.