English: Opus tesellatum

Opus signinum

The scene represented in this mosaic is that of Bacchus`s Triumph -the Greek Dionysus- upon his return from the conquest of India. The god, dressed in chlamys, drives a carriage pulled by tigers, alongside a satyr. The figure of Ariadne can be seen in the carriage, resting her left arm on Dionysus`s shoulder and holding the edge of a cloak with the other, which falls behind her, displaying her nude body. The heads of both figures are crowned with vine shoots. According to myth, upon returning from the East, Dionysus rescued Ariadne from the island of Naxos, where she had been abandoned by Theseus, and married her. A very similar representation appears in one of the mosaics of the Roman villa of Fuente Álamo (Puente Genil, Córdoba). It is a very common theme in these stately homes, although the presence of Ariadne is not as common, even though it is documented in various African and Spanish mosaics. There are elements in this mosaic which allow a second interpretation: this may be the marriage ceremony of Dionysus and Ariadne. On the one hand, the lack of references to the victory of the god, which can be seen in other representations of his triumph. On the other hand, the satyr who guides the procession, with an animal skin covering his back, which is characteristic of the Dionysian theme but here takes on the appearance of wings, bringing Eros to mind.

Source: www.juntadeandalucia.es/cultura/WEBDomus/fichaCompleta.do...