A Reconsideration of the Madaba Map
Beatrice Leal
The mosaic map of Madaba, Jordan, has been attracting visitors and puzzling art historians since it was uncovered in the 1890s. largest extant fragment encompasses modern Israel, Palestinian territories, Lebanon, parts Egypt. It depicts rivers, mountains deserts, villages cities, more than 150 inscriptions that describe them. Previous analyses have based on two assumptions: designed for an early Byzantine church this supposed roughly similar form to nineteenth-century now houses mosaic. On basis presumed ecclesiastical context, interpreted either as a pilgrimage guide or unique expression Christian worldview, displaying all sacred sites Holy Land with Jerusalem at center. does not fit well into setting, however, physically terms its content. contains little overtly imagery, resemble other Jordanian floors composition, layout, choice motifs, use inscriptions. In addition, appears hall north–south axis, east–west one. After laying out case against original I argue instead secular hall, most likely one used legal hearings, then discuss some new ways interpreting architectural motifs light reading.
Gesta