Petra

About this place

On a panel in situ : "Most of the aisle is occupied by the Mosaic of the Seasons. Inside the border, circular medallions, rectangular panels, and couches are organized into three columns, a composition with no parallels in the mosaics of the region. The central column, containing predominantly personifications and human figures, is flanked by columns with animals, birds, and fish. Altogether, there are 51 medallions. Seven of the figures in the central column are identified by Greek inscriptions. The one closest to the door is the representation of Winter, which opens the year in accordance with the agricultural cycle. Moving towards the altar the figure of Winter is followed by a fisherman, Earth, Ocean, Spring, a fowler, Wisdom, another fisherman, Summer, an eagle, Autumn, and birds drinking from a vase. East of this is a later mosaic consisting of pairs of stags, ducks, and rams.

For the Byzantine viewer, the mosaics would have symbolized God's domain. In the southern aisle, Earth is surrounded by the oceans. The Seasons rule over time in this world and Wisdom watches over everything. A Christian element has been added in the form of a pair of birds drinking from a vase ; the birds symbolize the Lord's people taking strength from Christ. The other mosaics, depicting the flora and fauna of the world, as well as man and his works, can be interpreted similarly. Unfortunately, we have only fragments of the wall mosaics. They would have represented the Heavens, and also the figures of Christ, Mary, and the Saints, as well as scenes from the Scriptures".

Brief description

Source © UNESCO : http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/326

Inhabited since prehistoric times, this Nabataean caravan-city, situated between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, was an important crossroads between Arabia, Egypt and Syria-Phoenicia. Petra is half-built, half-carved into the rock, and is surrounded by mountains riddled with passages and gorges. It is one of the world's most famous archaeological sites, where ancient Eastern traditions blend with Hellenistic architecture.

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