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Over the past century, exploration and serendipity have uncovered mosaic after mosaic in the Near East—maps, historical images, mythical figures, and religious scenes that constitute an immense treasure of new testimony from antiquity. The stories these mosaics tell unfold in this brief, richly informed book by a preeminent scholar of the classical world. G. W. Bowersock considers these mosaics a critical part of the documentation of the region’s ancient culture, as expressive as texts, inscriptions on stone, and architectural remains. In their complex language, often marred by time, neglect, and deliberate defacement, he finds historical evidence, illustrations of literary and mythological tradition, religious icons, and monuments to civic pride. Eloquently evoking a shared vision of a world beyond the boundaries of individual cities, the mosaics attest to a persistent tradition of Greek taste that could embrace Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in a fundamentally Semitic land, and they suggest the extent to which these three monotheistic religions could themselves embrace Hellenism. With copious color illustrations, Bowersock’s efforts return us to Syrian Antioch, Arabia, Jewish and Samaritan settlements in Palestine, the Palmyrene empire in Syria, and the Nabataean kingdom in Jordan, and show us the overlay of Hellenism introduced by Alexander the Great as well as Roman customs imported by the imperial legions and governors. Attending to one of the most evocative languages of the ages, his work reveals a complex fusion of cultures and religions that speaks to us across time.

Mosaics, Ancient --- Mosaïque antique --- Middle East --- Moyen-Orient --- Antiquities. --- History --- Antiquités --- Histoire --- 738.5 --- Mozaieken --- Arab countries --- 738.5 Mozaieken --- Mosaïque antique --- Antiquités --- Mosaics

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Between the second and the sixth centuries of the common era, elaborate mosaics were designed and created to pave the floors of town homes and rural estates of the Roman settlements in North Africa. These stunning mosaics were especially widespread in the colony of Africa Proconsularis, modern-day Tunisia, and covered a wide range of subject matter, from scenes of daily life and classical mythology to abstract floral and geometric designs of rare vibrancy and complexity. A distinctive African style emerged, whose influence would extend throughout the Mediterranean basin and beyond. 

This catalogue was published to coincide with an exhibition at the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Villa from October 26, 2006, to April 30, 2007―the first major exhibition in the United States solely devoted to ancient mosaics. The twenty-seven mosaics in the exhibition came from Tunisia's leading museums, including the Bardo Museum in Tunis, the Sousse Museum, and the El Jem Museum. 

Stories in Stone is structured around four principal themes—Nature, Theater and Spectacle, Myths and Gods, and Technique—and includes extensive material on mosaic conservation. In addition to color plates of all objects in the exhibit, this catalogue includes nine richly illustrated essays that illuminate the historical background of mosaic art, trace the development of principal themes, and examine the conservation of mosaics both in the museum setting and in situ. Contributors include Taher Ghalia, director of the Bardo Museum; Mongi Ennaifer, minister of cultural affairs, Tunisia; Thomas Roby, senior project specialist, Getty Conservation Institute; and Jerry Podany, head of antiquities conservation, J. Paul Getty Museum. 

Aïcha Ben Abed is director of monuments and sites at the Institut National du Patrimoine in Tunis, and one of the world's leading experts on the mosaics of Roman Africa.

mosaics [visual works] --- mozaïeken --- Roman sculpture styles --- Romeinse kunst --- Applied arts. Arts and crafts --- Tunisia --- Mosaics, Roman --- Pavements, Mosaic --- Mosaïque romaine --- Pavements de mosaïque --- Themes, motives --- Exhibitions --- Thèmes, motifs --- Expositions --- Mosaïque romaine --- Pavements de mosaïque --- Thèmes, motifs --- African [Roman province] --- Roman [ancient Italian culture or period] --- Antiquity