Pet names found on Roman mosaic in Turkey

[guy]

 

A mosaic with the names of the pets have been found in a villa in Turkey. It dates from the 2nd-3rd centuries AD.

 

 

Below is an article about a discovery of an exceptionally well‑preserved Roman villa in ancient Adramytteion, in modern‑day Burhaniye on the Aegean coast of Türkiye.
 

Excavations found a mosaic floor in the northern hall of the villa. The mosaic contains fifteen figurative panels showing birds, fish, mythological creatures, and—most strikingly—a cat and a dog identified by name. The cat’s name is interpreted as “Smeraldo,” while the dog is labeled “Okyanos,” meaning “Ocean.” This gives a wonderful glimpse into the personal world of the villa’s owners.

 

The villa itself dates to the second and third centuries AD and appears to have belonged to a wealthy family. It was built around a central atrium and decorated with colorful mosaics, frescoes, and a sophisticated water system. Some of the imagery, including Medusa and pygmy figures, suggests connections with North African mosaic traditions, while the winged horse motif reflects local civic identity seen on ancient coins from the region. The residence continued to be used and modified into late antiquity, with later rooms decorated in geometric and figurative styles.

 

 

https://arkeonews.net/1800-year-old-roman-villa-mosaic-discovered-in-turkiye-preserves-the-names-of-a-cat-and-dog/#google_vignette

Edited 1 hour ago by guy