Supervisors info:
Ανεζίρη Σοφία, Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια Αρχαίας Ιστορίας, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας ΕΚΠΑ
Κατάκης Στυλιανός, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής Κλασικής Αρχαιολογίας, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας ΕΚΠΑ
Πετρίδης Πλάτων, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής Βυζαντινής Αρχαιολογίας, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
The aim of this paper is the research over the female figures on the mosaic floors of Greece, Cyprus and Antioch. These are depictions of abstract concepts, allegories and virtues. The paper consists of the following parts: Foreword-Acknowledgments, Introduction, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Conclusions.
The Preface and Introduction follows the 1st Chapter, which is divided into two subdivisions, the Introduction to Space and Time and the Position of the Woman in Late Antiquity. In the first subsection there is a brief historical overview of the period, aiming to bring the reader into the space and the time in question. In the second sub-section, the woman's position in late antiquity is analyzed, with references to what it means to be a woman during this period, to the separate social events of marriage, dowry, divorce, second marriage, women as sponsors, women in the workplace and details of their grooming.
Next on Chapter 2 the position of the mosaics, in the space where they were found, is examined. More specifically, the definition of the mosaic floor and the historical retrospective of its evolution are cited. Most importantly, however, this chapter investigates the relationship between the mosaic and the architectural space in which it is located, and how it affects the subject and its size, as well as the corresponding influence of the owner on these matters. Finally, it is investigated whether the mosaic with its subject gives us data on the use of the space and the rest of the decoration.
Chapter 3 includes the list of representations of female figures on mosaic floors. Reference is made to the iconographic patterns of the period and the selected iconographic groups, the personifications of abstract concepts, allegories, seasons, months, and any city. Then, starting from the Greek area, the iconographic development of the mosaic in this region is analyzed, as well as the presentation of the figures that have been gathered. Finally, the pictorial development of the mosaic pavement for the regions of Cyprus and Antioch is presented, accompanied by the figures that have been collected for each one of them.
Chapter 4 approaches the peoples’ perception about the female body through late antiquity art. An attempt is being made to investigate the iconographic patterns and the means that the technicians and the patrons used to choose the depiction of the figures with the specific characteristics in each region separately. Finally, it is investigated how each iconographic group influenced the depiction of the figure.
The paper is completed with the Conclusions, the Bibliography and the Catalogue of Images for Greece, Cyprus and Antioch separately.
Keywords:
mosaic pavements, late antiquity, Greece, Cyprus, Antioch, woman, personifications
