Technical and Artistic Aspects of the Roman Mosaic of Castulo (Jaén, Spain)

Abstract

This paper is a comprehensive study of the Roman mosaic named “the Loves” found in Cástulo (Jaén, Spain) in 2012, which is conserved in situ.The pavement shows a known variation of the so called compass design, much appreciated in the mosaic art of Baetica. Here it consists of two central circles instead of one, around which six half circles, four quarter circles and six squares with concave sides are placed. The repertoire of scenes consists of allegoric representations. Placed inside the four circles in the corners of the mosaic, are the busts of the Seasons with their characteristic attributes as symbols of the passing of time and the fertility of the year. This is a motif widely spread among Roman mosaics and especially in Baetica. The six squares with concave sides show representations of mammals, both herbivores and carnivores. While the half circles show putties in different poses, all with the peculiarity that their necks are invisible according to a fashion in the mosaic production of Baetica in the second century AD.One of the central circles of the mosaic shows the Judgement of Paris, which is represented in two planes. The other circle shows the myth of Selene and Endymion. Here the goddess appears at the side of her carriage drawn by two horses; an iconography which constitutes an exception in this series of representations.The technique of the pavement is of high quality, particularly concerning the mythological scenes; the use of colour to create background and mark the different planes is eminent.