Location in the architectural complex:
Narthex or Atrium
Mosaic floor
Illustrative material:
Composition:
The room is paved almost entirely with a white mosaic with several spread out decorative motifs, each is sui generalis. Two meters to the northern wall there is a partially destroyed medallion (0.7 m) containing two interlaced oval rings.Two more medallions enclosed in a stylized cross (0.6 in diameter) flank the entrance to the chapel, only one survived. To the south, 1 m. to the western wall is a depiction of an animal identified as a lion or leopard chasing another animal (ram,stag or ibex). To its east are two palm trees titled towards the chapel floor. to the southeast, about 2 meters from the palm trees is another medallion (1 m.) containing a globular high based jar with an ornamental band across its body. A pair of birds facing each other flank its neck. Directly east is a square (0.4 m) containing a depiction of an hourglass.To the southeast there is a Greek inscription: "Petros bless us..". 1.5 meters to the southeast there is a circle containing three interwined rings. In between these decorative motifs are scattered various shapes: Rhombes, crosslets,florets and single Greek letters.
Comments:
Medallion destroyed by a later grave that was dug through the mosaic floor.
Discussion:
The animals and trees could perhaps hold symbolic Chritstian meaning. The lion is often linked to the story of Daniel in the lions den.The lion becmae a symbol of redemption and of Christ's ressurection. The leopard on the other hand, became associated with sin and is symbolic of the devil or the antichrist. The stag is a symbol of piety and religious aspiration (psalm 42:1). Sometimes the stag is a symbol of a pure life, being as it lives high on a mountain. Palm trees and branches relate to truimph over sin and death and Christ is often depicted in Christian art holding a palm branch.
Inscriptions