GREECE CENTRAL GREECE EVVIA ERETRIA MOSAICS

The famous mosaics are part of a civic building representative of the Classical and Hellenistic domestic architecture. It was erected in 370 BC and remained in use for about a century.

The monument was excavated between 1975 and 1980, and completely restored in 1990 by the Swiss School of Archaeology in Greece. Since then a modern building is protecting the ancient mosaic floors which unfortunately can only be viewed from outside through reflecting glass windows and between iron bars. Nevertheless, the pebble (!) mosaics are absolutely superb. They depict various scenes inspired by Greek mythology and the Iliad.

Above left: A Nereid on the back of a seahorse. Although these sea nymphs were thought to be friendly and particularly helpful to sailors the Nereid here is shown with a spear and shield.

Above right: Next to the Nereid is the depiction of battles between Arimaspian warriors in Scythian tunics and griffins. The Arimaspians of northern Scythia, perhaps in the foothills of the Carpathians, were so utterly legendary to Greek writers that it was said they had a single eye in the center of their foreheads. They were said to steal gold from the griffins, causing battles between the two groups.

Below: Also shown are encounters (battles?) between sphinxes and panthers. And behold: the mosaics are made of pebbles!

Above and below: In the 1st century BC a funerary monument was erected over the ruins of the house. Inside this building, two sarcophagi are preserved.

Below: Next to this structure there is another room of the "House of the Mosaics". The mosaics here are not quite as spectacular as those in the first room but still worthwhile seeing.