Villa Of The Birds
It is one of the few residential buildings that were found for the richest citizens in Alexandria, when mosaics were used in Alexandria to decorate the buildings, unfortunately at first it did not work, but soon Alexandria became a center for the production of the finest types of mosaics, it reached the stage of perfection in the Roman era, where exported to all over the world.
- It dating back to the period of the Roman Emperor Hadrian, who ruled Egypt, and a large empire during the second century.
The researchers knew the date of the villa’s construction from coins that were found in the foundation of the building, as ancient and modern Alexandrian people have a strange habit, before building any place, they put coins in the foundation of the building, they were believed that this would make the owner of the place rich, these Villa is distinguished by the unique mosaics of its floor, as it is one of the few examples that shed light on the development of mosaic making.
Villa of The Birds fire
In the late third century AD great fire happened in this place, it caused the bulge of mosaics, and the blackening of it's surfaced.
Description
It consists of six hexagonal panels in which the lotus flower stands out, surrounded by a typical circular frame, these design is the most prominent in the dining rooms of Roman homes.
Mosaic Panel
There is a mosaic panel hung on the wall of the villa, it was found at the entrance to the villa, as it was used as door lintels, It had a text written in Greek language which means (Welcome back), Dionysus (he was the god of wine, joy and ecstasy), he was represented here holding a glass of wine, There is also an inscription of a cross for the first time in history, with a three-dimensional drawing, as it make those who step on it deeply feels in perspective, and think that their feet will slide inside it.
It was called by archaeologists who discovered it “Villa of the Birds”, due to the wonderful mosaic floor in the main room of the structure that displays many types of birds such as (Parrot, Peacock, Ducks, Quail, and Pigeons).
There is a glasshouse surrounding the villa, to protect the mosaic from the outside weather, whether rain or heat of the sun. The marble statue of Alexander the Great was found in this villa, and it is now on display in Alexandria's library.
References
- https://roman-amphthiter-alexadria-villa-birds
- https://www.egypt-monuments1.website/2020/10/wonders-never-cease-inside-roman.html
- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadrian
- https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net/gods/dionysus/#:~:text=Dionysus%20was%20the%20ancient%20Greek,11000%20BCE%20by%20Mycenean%20Greeks.
- https://www.egypt-monuments1.website/2020/11/bibliotheca-alexandria.html
