Neglected architectural decoration from the late antique city : public porticoes, small baths, shops/workshops, and 'middle class' houses in the East Mediterranean

This book examines neglected architectural decoration from the late antique city of the East Mediterranean. It addresses the omission in scholarship of discussion about the embellishment of non-monumental secular buildings (public porticoes, small public baths, shops/workshops, and non-elite houses). The finishing of these structures has been overlooked at the expense of more lofty buildings and remains one of the least known aspects of the late antique city. The author surveys the archaeological evidence for decoration in the region, with the maritime sites of Ostia and Ephesus selected as case studies. Drawing upon archaeological, written, and visual sources, it attempts to reconstruct how such buildings appeared to late antique viewers and investigates why they were decorated as they were. Contents Foreword Editorial Note Maps, Figures and Tables Introduction 1 State of Research 2 Sources 3 Organisation of the Book 1 Decoration in Late Antiquity: Imperial Palaces and Elite Houses 1 Decoration of Late Antique Imperial Palaces 1.1 Decoration of Walls 1.2 Decoration of Floors 2 Decoration in Late Antique Elite Houses 2.1 Decoration of Walls 2.2 Decoration of Floors 2 Urban Case Studies: Ephesus 1 Decoration of Public Porticoes 2 Decoration of Shops / Workshops 3 Discussion 3 Urban Case Studies: Ostia 1 Decoration of Public Porticoes 2 Decoration of Small Public Baths 3 Decoration of Shops / Tabernae 4 Discussion 4 Public Porticoes 1 Finishing of Façades: Archaeological Evidence 1.1 Asia Minor 1.2 The Levant 1.3 Greece 2 Finishing of Floors: Archaeological Evidence 2.1 Asia Minor 2.2 The Levant 2.3 Greece 2.4 Western Balkans 3 Discussion 3.1 Veneer and Plaster Decoration: Chronological and Geographical Distribution 3.2 The Repertoire of Painted Plaster 3.3 Decoration of Ceilings 3.4 Paving: Chronological and Geographical Distribution 3.5 The Repertoire of Mosaic and Opus Sectile Paving 3.6 Roofs and Lighting 3.7 Exterior Wall Decoration 5 Small Public Baths 1 Finishing of Interior Walls: Archaeological Evidence 1.1 Asia Minor 1.2 The Levant 1.3 Greece 2 Finishing of Floors: Archaeological Evidence 2.1 Asia Minor 2.2 The Levant 2.3 Greece 3 Discussion 3.1 Plaster and Veneer Decoration: Chronological and Geographical Distribution 3.2 The Repertoire of Painted Plaster 3.3 Paving: Chronological and Geographical Distribution 3.4 The Repertoire of Mosaic Paving 3.5 Hierarchy of Decoration According to Its Spatial Setting 3.6 Exterior Decoration 6 Shops and Workshops 1 Finishing of Interior Walls: Archaeological Evidence 1.1 Asia Minor 1.2 The Levant 1.3 Greece 2 Finishing of Floors and Thresholds: Archaeological Evidence 2.1 Asia Minor 2.2 The Levant 2.3 Greece 3 Discussion 3.1 Plaster Decoration: Chronological and Geographical Distribution 3.2 The Repertoire of Painted Plaster 3.3 Paving: Chronological and Geographical Distribution 3.4 The Repertoire of Mosaic Paving 3.5 Interior Structural Furniture and Textile Furnishings 3.6 Exterior Decoration 3.7 Decoration of Shops / Workshops: An Individual or Collective Enterprise? 3.8 Did the Decoration Match with the Value of Sale Items? 3.9 Decoration Conveying Symbolism 7 ‘Middle Class’ Houses 1 Finishing of Interior Walls and Ceilings: Archaeological Evidence 1.1 Asia Minor 1.2 The Levant 1.3 Greece 1.4 Egypt 2 Finishing of Floors and Thresholds: Archaeological Evidence 2.1 Asia Minor 2.2 The Levant 2.3 Greece and the Western Balkans 2.4 Egypt 3 Discussion 3.1 Plaster Decoration: Chronological and Geographical Distribution 3.2 The Repertoire of Painted Plaster 3.3 Paving: Chronological and Geographical Distribution 3.4 The Repertoire of Mosaic and Opus Sectile Paving 3.5 Floor Tapestries, Wall-Hangings, and Lighting 3.6 Exterior Decoration 3.7 Interior Decoration as an Instrument of Architectural ‘Hierarchy’ 3.8 Decoration as a Protective Instrument 3.9 Domestic Decoration as Symbol of Social Status Conclusion 1 Why were Public Porticoes, Baths, Shops / Workshops, and ‘Middle Class’ Houses Decorated? 2 Regional Similarities and Variations in the Decoration of Public Porticoes, Small Baths, Shops / Workshops, and ‘Middle Class’ Houses 3 Limitations Tables Bibliography Primary Sources Modern Sources Thematic Index Index of Decoration, Architectural Elements and Furniture Index of Building Types and Function Index of Materials Index of Objects Index of Persons Index of Places "This book examines neglected architectural decoration from the late antique city of the East Mediterranean. It addresses the omission in scholarship of discussion about the embellishment of non-monumental secular buildings (public porticoes, small public baths, shops/workshops, and non-elite houses). The finishing of these structures has been overlooked at the expense of more lofty buildings and remains one of the least known aspects of the late antique city. The book surveys the archaeological evidence for decoration in the region, with the maritime sites of Ostia and Ephesus selected as case studies. Drawing upon archaeological, written, and visual sources, it attempts to reconstruct how such buildings appeared to late antique viewers and investigates why they were decorated as they were"-- Provided by publisher