
Those created by the Greeks were primarily constructed from black and white pebbles. The earliest forms of mosaics to appear in Greco-Roman art date back to the 5th century B.C., with examples found at the ancient cities of Corinth and Olynthus. Discover the history of and techniques used in Roman mosaic art, and the impact they’ve made on the history of art. Mosaics have been uncovered by archaeologists in a range of modern-day locales-including France and Tunisia-and reveal a combination of local traditions and Roman influence.Īs examples of Roman mosaics continue to be uncovered in archaeological dig sites, they offer reliable insight into the interests and daily lives of ancient civilizations through their detailed narratives. These works of art adorned the walls of private homes and public buildings, spreading to new geographic locations as the Roman Empire expanded. Today, these works offer a vivid picture of ancient Roman life a glimpse into the everyday activities of an ancient civilization which included gladiator contests, sports, and agriculture, while also serving as documentation of everyday items such as food, clothes, tools, and weapons. Though the Greeks refined the art of figural mosaics by embedding pebbles in mortar, the Romans expanded on this established technique, using tesserae-cubes of stone, ceramic, or glass-to form intricate, colorful designs. The earliest forms of Greco-Roman mosaics were conceived in Greece in the late 5th century B.C.

Roman mosaics are comprised of geometric and figural images created by arrangements of tiny pieces of stone and glass.
