Roman mosaics were influenced by those in southern Italy and Greece, with the Greeks introducing mosaics from the Orient in the 8th century BC. Roman mosaics were colorful and detailed depictions found in places of worship, government buildings, and homes, often showing rulers, gods, and daily Roman life. Even when structures were in ruins, mosaics would often remain intact on floors. Early mosaics used colored pebbles, but glass, ceramics, and other materials like gold and silver were later employed. Individual pieces were called tesserae and could be as small as 1mm.

1. Roman Mosaics Denyce Alvarez May 24, 2010 Block—A3 PAP Latin 2

2. Influences of Roman Mosaics Influenced by southern Italy in Greece. Greeks took mosaics from the Orient in 8 th BC.

3. Roman Mosaics Colorful, beautiful, very detailed. Found in place of worships—Temples, government offices, and homes. Shows rulers, gods, and daily life in Rome.

4. Excavated Mosaics Even if the whole house has been ruined, the floors will mostly be in tact. Mosaics are most commonly found on Roman house floors.

5. First Mosaic Materials The first mosaics materials were made from colored pebbles.

6. Materials Glass and ceramics were the commonly used materials They can easily be manipulated to the artists needs Materials were recycled when marble’s price grew and when Rome lost power, it became difficult for them to acquire these materials.

7. Exotic Materials Romans also used Pearls Silver Gold Produce spectacular and lavish mosaics.

8. Roman Mosaics--Pieces The small pieces used are called tessellae or tesserae. Pieces will range from different forms and sizes.

9. Ciottoli technique The earliest form of technique used. Around the 4 th BC. Used small colored rocks Of different colors To show shading and depth

10. 1 st century BC Romans started to cut small squares of ceramic to make tiled mosaics. Can be as small as 1mm. Tiles cut by a special hammer and a sharp metal that is positioned into a block of wood

11. Roman mosaics influenced mosaics that we have now