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Monumentum

Mosaic of Silvanus from Ostia

This unusual mosaic representation of the god Silvanus was found in the Mithreaum of the so-called Imperial Palace in Ostia.
Detail of the niche with the depiction of Silvanus.

Detail of the niche with the depiction of Silvanus.
Ostia-Antica.org 

 
The New Mithraeum
3 Feb 2022
Updated on Sep 2023

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Polychrome mosaic (H. 1.58 Br. 0.92 D. 0.30) found in a niche in the pronaos: 'trovato nel ripiano superiore che mette al vestibolo della scala' (Visconti). Before the niche a little lamp was found. Lateran-museum, Room XV No. 914.

Against a blue background the representation of Silvanus in a white tunica with red borders and dark-yellow cloak. Around his brown curly hair a blue nimbus. Brown foot-wear. In his I.h. a branch; in the r.h. a falx with yellow handle. Beside him sits a brown dog, which is looking at him. On the I. side a burning altar. The landscape is indicated by three trees
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