On the Interpretation of Pothos in a Mosaic from the Antiquities Market with the Representation of Pelops and Hippodameia

Abstract

This paper analyzes a representation of Pothos in a mosaic auctioned in the antiquities market, –from a private collection after being acquired at Asfar Brothers, Beirut, in the late 60's. -, today in J. Bagot Archaeology-Ancient Art in Barcelona. More specifically, we will discuss, its interpretation within a scene related to Pelops and Hippodameia. Even the three characters are represented, with an unusual iconography, their identification is undoubtedly established on the base of inscriptions in Greek. To proceed with this discussion, this study analyzes the ancient literary sources and the images of Pothos depicted in the other mosaics, among others, on a mosaic of Pelops and Hippodameia from London antique market in 1979, that had been part of a private collection of California until the 1990s, being auctioned at Christie's in New York on 2010, and in the mosaic of the Weddings of Dionysus and Ariadne from Philippopolis.In connection with the references of some literary sources, the representations of these two mosaics are very revealing to understand the mosaic scene currently conserved in J. Bagot.