The Mosaic with Family Portraits and Mythological Figures in the Villa Armira near Ivailovgrad, Bulgaria

Abstract

This article draws inspiration from Jean-Pierre Darmon’s belief that the figural mosaics decorating Roman private homes often have an educational function, serving as a form of paideia and representing cherished social and cultural values of the classical tradition. That notion is applied to a mosaic embellishing the Villa Armira located near Ivailovgrad in southeastern Thrace (modern Bulgaria) and dated to the 2nd century AD. The pavement depicts very lifelike portraits of three family members in addition to numerous mythological subjects. The latter helped inform the children represented about important social and moral concepts reflected in the mosaic imagery, thereby preparing them for future adult life. Besides making a detailed description of the pavement in question, the article draws comparisons with mosaics from other imperial Roman provinces. This pavement is an outstanding example of the assimilation of Greco-Roman culture in the region of Thrace during the High Empire.