The mosaic pavement of the Vrina Plain basilica of Butrint, Albania appear to pre-date that of the Baptistery by almost a generation, dating to the last quarter of the 5th or the first years of the 6th century. The mosaic displays a variety of motifs including sea-creatures, birds, terrestrial beasts, fruits, flowers, trees and abstracts – designed to depict a terrestrial paradise of God’s creation. Superimposed on this scheme are two large tablets, tabulae ansatae, carrying inscriptions. A variety of fish, a crab, a lobster, shrimps, mushrooms, flowers, a stag and two cruciform designs surround the smaller of the two inscriptions, which reads: In fulfilment of the vow (prayer) of those whose names God knows. This anonymous dedicatory inscription is a public demonstration of the benefactors’ humility and an acknowledgement of God’s omniscience.
The mosaic pavement of the Vrina Plain basilica of Butrint , Albania appear to pre - date that of the Baptistery by almost a generation , dating to the last quarter of the 5th or the first years of the 6th century . The mosaic displays a variety of motifs including sea - creatures , birds , terrestrial beasts , fruits , flowers , trees and abstracts – designed to depict a terrestrial paradise of God ’s creation . Superimposed on this scheme are two large tablets , tabulae ansatae , carrying inscriptions . A variety of fish , a crab , a lobster , shrimps , mushrooms , flowers , a stag and two cruciform designs surround the smaller of the two inscriptions , which reads : In fulfilment of the vow ( prayer ) of those whose names God knows . This anonymous dedicatory inscription is a public demonstration of the benefactors ’ humility and an acknowledgement of God ’s omniscience .
What was the mosaic at Butrint designed to portray?
What was the mosaic at Butrint designed to portray ?
a terrestrial paradise
a terrestrial paradise