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Mosaic with Latin Inscription

North African (Tunisia, Furnos Minor, Messadine)

late 4th–early 5th century

Not on view

The fourth century witnessed the arrival of mosaics as an artistic medium in Christian contexts. Tombs, for example, displayed Christian images and symbols, notably the Chi-Rho, a monogram for the name Jesus Christ, and alpha and omega signs referring to the end and the beginning from the book of Revelation. This mosaic was excavated at a funerary site at Furnos Minor, a town in the Roman province of Proconsular Africa. The town once had a vibrant and active Latin-speaking Christian community, evident here from the Latin inscription. This funerary mosaic commemorated a young child named Carthage, who died at one year, two months, and fifteen days.

Mosaic with Latin Inscription, Marble, limestone, North African (Tunisia, Furnos Minor, Messadine) — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Mosaic with Latin Inscription

Date: late 4th–early 5th century

Culture: North African (Tunisia, Furnos Minor, Messadine)

Medium: Marble, limestone

Dimensions: 40 11/16 × 21 7/8 × 3 9/16 in., 44.1 lb. (103.4 × 55.6 × 9 cm, 20 kg)

Classification: Mosaics

Credit Line: Musée du Louvre, Department of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities, Paris

Rights and Reproduction: © Musée du Louvre, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Photo by Jean-Luc Maby / Art Resource, NY

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