Discovery the Deep Rooted Artistic History of Cyprus

Cyprus is truly a remarkable place to visit. It has many attractions to offer, and it has a deep rooted history that is fun and interesting to discover.  Cyprus was taken over by the Romans in 58 BC, when it was divided into four main districts. Smaller cities were scattered around the area after the Roman rule, which created a divided society. Cyprus was also very famous for its copper mining, which extended throughout the Roman era.  Perhaps one of the greatest contributions that the Romans made to Cyprus was the mosaics that they designed. These fabulous works of arts can still be viewed today, and tourists come from all over the world to get a glimpse of their rare beauty.

Roman Mosaics

Paphos has numerous roman mosaics, and it is one of the most popular places to visit in Cyprus due to the famous mosaics that are on display. The region of Paphos is home to many famous designs. Paphos has many historical houses with mosaics, as it was a region that many Roman leaders called home. The villa of Theseus lies very close to the house of Dionysus. This house dates back to the second century, and it shows various mythical representations of Theseus killing the Minotaur, and even the birth of Achilles. The Mosaics that are present in Cyprus are unlike any others in the world.

Why Were They Made?

Roman mosaics were made to preserve history. They were carefully crafted by expert artists to represent the acts that occurred before and during their time. Romans looked up to various Gods and figures, and this is in part what gave them the inspiration to do well during their reign. A piece of a roman mosaic was generally called a tessera. They were made out of materials that were completely natural, as this was their only source of colour. Some mosaics were square, but it was not uncommon to see them in circular shapes as well. The artists changed the shapes to accommodate the intricate designs that they were working with.

What Designs Were Made?
The Romans made several designs, including the Medusa. The Medusa had snakes for hair, and she was often depicted as a monster by the Romans. Others created simpler designs, such as black dog mosaics and other lesser known works. Mosaics with dogs were created to warn intruders to stay away from the home. They served for more practical reasons, rather than for décor or to record history. If you want a great place to view Roman mosaics, then Paphos is certainly a choice destination. Art and history enthusiasts can view the many houses of Roman gods and figure, including the houses of Orpheus, Aion, Theseus and Dionysos. The mosaics are all incredibly detailed, with precision placed in every tessera.

Brilliant Colouring in Roman Mosaics

Some Roman mosaics have a varied amount of colour within the tiles, with reds, blues, yellows, and greens applied to the corresponding areas. These were generally made by the best craftsmen that Cyprus had to offer during that era. The working class made mosaics as well, but they typically made mosaics that had really dark colours that seemed to merge into one another. They did not always have access to quality materials, so they had to make do with what they had.

Make sure that when you next visit Cyprus, you pay a visit to these mosaics and learn about the history of this beautiful Cypriot island.