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 interpretation of the mosaic is disputed, suggestions ranging from an exotic decoration to a topographical picture or a religious allegory." "The present study demonstrates that the mosaic depicts rituals connected with Isis and Osiris and the yearly Nile flood. The presence of these Egyptian religious scenes at Praeneste can be explained by the assimilation of Isis and Fortuna, the tutelary goddess of Praeneste, and by the interpretation of the mosaic as a symbol of divine providence."--Jacket THE NILE MOSAIC OF PALESTRINA 5 CONTENTS 9 Preface 11 Introduction 13 Chapter I The reconstruction of the original mosaic 15 Chapter II The original location and the date of the mosaic 20 1. Function and date of the building 20 2. The date of the mosaic 28 Chapter III Description 32 section 1 32 section 2 34 section 3 35 section 4 35 section 5 36 section 6 36 section 7 38 section 9 upper part 38 section 10 upper part 39 section 11 upper part 39 section 21 39 section 8 40 section 9 lower part 41 section 10 lower part 42 section 11 lower part 42 sections 12 + 18 43 section 15 44 section 19 45 section 13 46 section 14 49 section 20 50 section 16 50 section 17 52 Conclusion 53 Chapter IV Interpretation 55 1. The upper part 55 2. The lower part 62 the Nilometer and temple 63 the Egyptian temple 65 the procession 67 the grove complex 72 the meeting before the pavilion 76 the pergola scene 82 the hippopotamus hunt 82 the festival 83 the location 87 Conclusion 89 Chapter V The function of the Nile Mosaic 92 Chapter VI The workshop 103 Chapter VII The cultural background 108 Appendices 121 1. The onokentaura 123 2. The thoantes 127 3. The nabous 131 4. The tigris 134 5. The choiropithekos 137 6. The murmekoleon 139 7. The symbolism of the eagle in connection with Osiris and the Nile flood 141 8. Representations of the tomb of Osiris in the reliefs of Hadrian's gate at Philae 144 9. The geography of the temple and tomb of Osiris in relation to the rituals 148 10. The representations of the funeral procession of Osiris and Sokaris at Dendera 153 11. The funeral procession of Osiris in the Nile Mosaic 156 12. The feasts of the Nile flood and the new year in the Canopus decree and the Assuan stele 159 13. Pygmies and dwarfs in Nilotic scenes 162 14. The use of Egyptian motifs as control marks on Roman Republican coins 167 15. The mysterious goddess on the denarius of M. Plaetorius Cestianus of 67 BC 171 16. Relations between Ptolemaic Egypt and Rome 176 17. The owners of the Casa del Fauno at Pompeii 179 18. Pompeian and related fish mosaics 185 19. Illustrated papyrus scrolls 189 20. The rendering of landscape and spatial depth in Greek art 193 21. Chorography and topography as pictorial genres 198 Notes to Chapters 1-VII 203 Abbreviations/Bibliography 395 Index 411 Illustrations 423