Glossary
A glossary of mosaics and archaeology
Fifteen terms used to describe mosaic construction, imagery and archaeological setting.
- Tryphe
An Ancient Greek word encompassing ease, refinement and luxury. In some mosaics it is personified as a female figure. Whether the word conveys approval or criticism depends on its context.
Source: LSJ, τρυφή; Ünsal and Şahin 2023
- Personification
The representation of an abstract idea, such as life, a season or ease, in human form. An inscription and accompanying objects can help identify the concept.
- Bios
Greek for “life”. In mosaics paired with Tryphe, it names the personification of Life.
Source: Royal Ontario Museum 967.132
- Tessera
An individual piece of stone, glass or similar material set into a mosaic. The plural is tesserae. Their colours, shapes and arrangement build the image or pattern.
- Opus tessellatum
A Latin technical term for mosaic work laid with tesserae, used in geometric fields and figured compositions.
Source: Kondoleon 2016; DHA
- Opus vermiculatum
Fine mosaic work in very small tesserae set to follow contours and details, allowing closely graded, painterly effects.
Source: DHA; Kondoleon 2016
- Border
A decorative band around a panel or pavement field. It can define an image’s edge and separate different areas.
- Iconography
The study of subjects represented by figures, objects and scenes. Inscriptions, comparable works and visual features are considered together.
Source: Ünsal and Şahin 2023
- Context
The relationships between a find, its deposits, architecture and associated objects. They provide evidence for investigating when and how it was used.
Source: Tekin et al. 2024; Alberti, Bourguignon and Roby 2013
- Stratigraphy
The study of archaeological deposits and their order of formation. Later interventions can cut through earlier deposits and leave evidence of that sequence.
Source: Tekin et al. 2024
- In situ
Latin for “in place”. In mosaic conservation it refers to retaining a pavement in its original location with its architectural relationships.
Source: ICCROM, MOSAIKON
- Conservation
The assessment, treatment and continuing care of an object to limit deterioration. Documentation and monitoring form part of the work alongside intervention.
Source: Alberti, Bourguignon and Roby 2013; ICCROM, MOSAIKON
- Cavea
The audience seating of an ancient theatre. At Zile it combines sections cut into rock with sections built from stone blocks.
Source: Tekin et al. 2025
- Orchestra
The area in front of an ancient theatre’s seating. Zile’s 2023 excavation report records a semicircular orchestra approximately sixteen metres in diameter.
Source: Tekin et al. 2025
- Triclinium
A term for a Roman dining space, associated with an arrangement of three couches. Couch positions can help explain a mosaic pavement’s layout.
Source: Raff 2011; Princeton y1965-216
Further reading
The Zile mosaic
The Zile mosaic: an image of the good life
A female figure, five Greek letters and a floor made of coloured tesserae. A Roman mosaic found in Zile offers another expression of the ancient taste for comfort and luxury.
Tryphe in the history of art
The many faces of Tryphe
A bust at Olba; a reclining woman on a panel said to come from Emesa. Different images of the same idea introduce the visual tradition behind the inscription at Zile.
Space and workmanship in Roman art
Mosaics in the Roman house: a picture within a room
Thresholds, furniture and the people using a room shaped the meaning of its pavement. A Roman floor mosaic was encountered differently from a picture on a wall.