Des expressions et des sentiments sur des pavements dionysiaques de l’Algérie romaine

Abstract

The fgurative ancient mosaics often represent “living” paintings which depict mythological, historical or real personages who manage to express various feelings thanks to the ingenuity of the mosaic craftsmen. Indeed, the art of ancient mosaic has not ceased to evolve since the Hellenistic period in the direction of the translation of the emotions and feelings that give life to the myths and legends represented. The mosaics which decorated the ceremonial and reception rooms in luxurious domus did not only play an ornamental role, they entertained the guests, stimulated all their senses and provoked the exchange of conversations around the table. The Dionysian mosaics were particularly intended for this function because Dionysus is the god of the banquet! By admiring some of the many pavements of the Dionysian legend of Roman Algeria, one can detect the rendering of emotions and soak up an unreal and almost real atmosphere at the same time! ... This article is an invitation to discover a whole range of sometimes contradictory feelings that appear on mosaics; we will thus be able to see how the African mosaicists from the end of the 2nd to the 5th century A.D. used various methods to make their personages more expressive and alive.