Tomb of the Serpent Mosaic

Tomb of the Serpent Mosaic 1

Material/Specs: Tesserae, Limestone and Marble.

Context & Provenance

When It Was Found (Creation Context)

Excavated intact during the 1888 expansion of a villa near Pompeii.

Country & Location of Origin

Pompeii, Roman Empire

Real History & Interpretation

This particular mosaic was commissioned for the private triclinium (dining room) of a wealthy merchant. It uniquely blends traditional Dionysian imagery with later, darker Chthonic cult references, suggesting the owner’s eclectic religious leanings during the Antonine period.

Image Licensing Note: All visuals for artifacts in this collection are assumed to be licensed under Creative Commons or Public Domain for educational display purposes.