Scott is actually standing on mosaics! The mosaics are the floors of homes and government buildings in a huge archelogical site. Much of the outside area is roped off, but there a few places were it is still possible to "stand" in history.
A mosaic that sits magnificently among the site workings. Take note of the single standing column, the excavated walls, typical sea-side arid landscape and the beautiful azure blue Mediterranean Sea. This mosaic is perfectly round and is all geometrics. When we turned around there was a gorgeous green-on-green monocromatic mosaic. Many of the rooms and porticos at the central court are covered with mosaic floors with geometric motifs.
Perhaps Christine's favorite mosaic: "Theseus killing the Minotaur", hence the surrounding design is a labyrinth. This mosaic is part of an enormous villa of Theseus consisting of almost 100 large and small rooms, the building was the residence of the governor of Cyprus. The Roman commanders used to decorate the floors of their villas with mosaic, dating from the third to fifth century AD.
The center scene: The hero Theseus is in combat with the Minotaur, half man/half bull. Ariadne, daughter of the King of Minos and admirer of Theseus look on from a safe height (smart woman!) Can you see the labyrinth? Paphos mosaics were made of small cubes of colorful marbles and stones, called tesserae, with glass paste added to widen the range of color.
House of Aion, named after the god seen in one of five mosaics, was discovered in 1983. This is part of 5 large and separate mosaics. It depicts a seated Apollo (with halo) resting upon his lyre and holding a branch. Unfortunately, large areas are missing from all 5 scenes, but now are protected by a structure and walkways for visitors.
Christine at the House of Theseus, possibly standing in the entrance to a home owned two thousand years ago by member of the ruling Roman class or a wealthy citizen. She readily admits she would probably have been a slave scrubbing the mosaics and sweeping the floors!
In this mosaic's center are three lovely women, surrounded by an wide deep burgandy and ivory border and a simple outer area. This is also in the outside area of House of Theseus. Again one can gaze out over Roman ruins and enjoy the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.
Long mosaic in The House of Dionysos features exotic animals often in hunting scenes
Pyramos and Thisbe Roman mosaic 3rd/4th century A.D. This mosaic depicts the story first made popular by Ovid and later by Shakespeare (Midsummer Night's Dream). Pyramos the handsome and Thisbe the beautiful communicated secretly through a crack in the wall. Later Thisbe is frightened by a lioness, which trampled and tore the veil she left when fleeing. Pyramos finds the the bloodstained veil, believes Thisbe dead and runs himself thru with his sword. Ahh, Greek tragedy! 
The peacock is small (about 3 Feet square) but the centerpiece of a room at House of Dionysos. It was interesting to see natural subjects interspersed with mythology and geometrics.
This large Roman mosaic resembled a quilt. Christine found it fascinating as she recalls time and energy required to get a quilt exactly "perfect". This must have taken years to complete. Note the numbers at top of the photo: All of the mosaics were numbered and identified for the visitors - wish we had taken better notes.
In the House of Dionysos is this spendid mosaic, here we see two of three illustrations. Left: Dionysos is seated offering grapes to the nymph Akme, who is drinking wine from a bowl. (Not a bad idea!) Icarios made Dionysos welcome when he visited Athens and in return the god showed him how to cultivate wine. Icarios leads an ox-cart with wine-filled animal skins.
Five different depictions of the four Seasons with sad, but youthful face in the middle. The bearded man at lower left is winter's illustration. The pattern runs from Spring in upper left clockwise to Summer and Autumn at lower right. The other panels show rural scenes. Scott was fascinated by the 3-D effect of the narrow, but certainly eye-catching border.
Another intricate geometric with several different patterns in complimenting colors.
The Paphos Odeon is built entirely of limestone. It was severely damanged in an earthquake in the 7th century, but has now been partially restored. At the left are the ruins of the Agora, built in the second century and used as a marketplace & hospital, the hub of trade and commerce. Straight across are the scattered remains of the Acropolis. Hi All,
The Mosaics of Paphos date from the days of Roman rule of Cyprus, these stunning mosaics were only discovered and excavated in 1962 and are some of the best preserved and most beautiful Roman mosaics discovered to date. Aside from their beauty (our photographs do NOT do them justice), as witness to history their claim is indisputable. These are the mosaics that St. Paul walked across after he "turned the other cheek. He had been public flogging by the Romans.
The houses are situated in the Paphos Archeological area and given names according to the main themes of their mosaic scenes. (Dionysus, Orpheus, Aion and Theseus) Excavations have revealed the spectacular 3rd & 5th centrury mosaics but many sites are still being unearthed.
The most intact area, The House of Dionysos has superb examples scenes from Greek mythology and was accidentlly discovered by a farmer ploughing his field! 5,985 square feet (556 square meters) of floor space 14 rooms are covered with gorgeous mosaics. This area is completed enclosed and protected from the elements, which meant we were also protected from the sun. We lingered and discussed, calling each other to point out a special border or scene, while 6ft up on walkways covering the original stone foundations. This was a roman private residence of over 40 rooms.
The Odeon Theatre is still used as it was in ancient times for outdoor concerts, plays and games. Also at the site are an early Christian basilica and a retired lighthouse. The basilica was built in the 5th century, but destroyed during the 7th century Arab raids. The entire town of Paphos is included in the official UNESCO list of cultural and natural treasure of world heritage.
The most impressive and reflective time of our holiday was the three hours we spent exploring this marvelous area. Hope you have enjoyed the read (always knew my Humanities major at university would be of value).
Love to you all,
Christine and Scott
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