The Nile mosaic of Palestrina : : early evidence of Egyptian religion in Italy / / by P.G.P. Meyboom.

• Superior document: Religions in the Graeco-Roman world, volume 121
• VerfasserIn: Meyboom, P. G. P.,
• Place / Publishing House: Leiden ;, New York : : E.J. Brill,, 1995.
• Year of Publication: 1995
• Language: English
• Series: Religions in the Graeco-Roman world ; v. 121.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (502 pages) :; illustrations (some color)

The famous Nile Mosaic of Palestrina, ancient Praeneste in central Italy, dating to c. 100 B.C., 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.

Table of Contents

Preliminary material -- INTRODUCTION -- THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ORIGINAL MOSAIC -- THE ORIGINAL LOCATION AND THE DATE OF THE MOSAIC -- DESCRIPTION -- INTERPRETATION -- THE FUNCTION OF THE NILE MOSAIC -- THE WORKSHOP -- THE CULTURAL BACKGROUND -- THE ONOKENTAURA (Ch. III, n. 7) -- THE THOANTES (Ch. III, n. 14) -- THE NABOUS (Ch. III, n. 39) -- THE TIGRIS (Ch. III, n. 60) -- THE CHOIROPITHEKOS (Ch. III, n. 66) -- THE MURMEKOLEON(Ch. IV, n. 35) -- THE SYMBOLISM OF THE EAGLE IN CONNECTION WITH OSIRIS AND THE NILE FLOOD (Ch. IV, n. 83) -- REPRESENTATIONS OF THE TOMB OF OSIRIS IN THE RELIEFS OF HADRIAN’S GATE AT PHILAE (Ch. IV, nn. 115, 116) -- THE GEOGRAPHY OF THE TEMPLE AND TOMB OF OSIRIS IN RELATION TO THE RITUALS (Ch. IV, n. 128) -- THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE FUNERAL PROCESSION OF OSIRIS AND SOKARIS AT DENDERA (Ch. IV, n.129) -- THE FUNERAL PROCESSION OF OSIRIS IN THE NILE MOSAIC (Ch. IV, n. 130) -- THE FEASTS OF THE NILE FLOOD AND THE NEW YEAR IN THE CANOPUS DECREE AND THE ASSUAN STELE (Ch.IV, nn. 178, 179) -- PYGMIES AND DWARFS IN NILOTIC SCENES (Ch. V, n. 15) -- THE USE OF EGYPTIAN MOTIFS AS CONTROL-MARKS ON ROMAN REPUBLICAN COINS (Ch. V, nn. 23, 24, 26) -- THE MYSTERIOUS GODDESS ON THE DENARIUS OF M. PLAETORIUS CESTIANUS OF 67 B.C. (Ch. V, n. 25) -- RELATIONS BETWEEN PTOLEMAIC EGYPT AND ROME (Ch. V, n. 31) -- THE OWNERS OF THE CASA DEL FAUNO AT POMPEII (Ch. VI, n. 2) -- POMPEIAN AND RELATED FISH MOSAICS (Ch. VI, n. 6) -- ILLUSTRATED PAPYRUS SCROLLS (Ch. VII, n. 13) -- THE RENDERING OF LANDSCAPE AND SPATIAL DEPTH IN GREEK ART (Ch. VII, n. 17) -- CHOROGRAPHY AND TOPOGRAPHY AS PICTORIAL GENRES (Ch. VII, n. 35) -- NOTES TO CHAPTERS I-VII -- ABBREVIATIONS/BIBLIOGRAPHY -- INDEX -- ILLUSTRATIONS.