Eros and the so-called “Psyche” in the emblema from the Poseidon Villa at Zeugma

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Journal of Mosaic Research
Sayı: 18
Eros and the so-called “Psyche” in the emblema from the Poseidon Villa at Zeugma

Eros and the so-called “Psyche” in the emblema from the Poseidon Villa at Zeugma

Pages : 79-95

View : 100 | Download : 425

Publication Date : 2025-11-11

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The aim of this research is an iconographical and iconological analysis focused on the emblema with Eros and so-called “Psyche” from the Poseidon Villa at Zeugma. At a methodological level the mosaic has been duly contextualised in relation to the house and the site of origin, considering the other mosaics from the Poseidon Villa. For this purpose mosaics and other finds were analysed from both the eastern (Syria, Egypt) and western parts of the Roman Empire (Italy) passing through Greece. A new identification of the female figure (Psyche or Telete?) in the emblema from the Poseidon Villa was proposed. The Dionysiac context of the scene (Eros-Dionysus adolescent) was related to the presence of Dionysus in other mosaic panels from the house, highlighting the nuptial character of this representation and the role of Dionysus regarding the marriage rites (Cfr. the Dionysiac frieze of the Villa of the Mysteries at Pompeii and the Aldobandrini Wedding). In this perspective the identification of the so-called “Psyche” with a bride belonging to the human sphere has been proposed. But it is a human sphere that interacts closely with the divine one. The human bride next to Eros has a clothing, posture and attitude that is both modest and seductive, so as to evoke the famous Aphrodite Sosandra. This statuary type must have been well known in the eastern part of the Roman Empire, especially at Zeugma, as documented through the circulation of several copies, in the second half of the 2nd century AD. We suggest that the dominus-client perhaps must have been a Roman high-ranking army officer, belonging to the IV Legio Scythica and resident in a cosmopolitan context.
Keywords : İkonografi, emblemata, sözde “Psykhe”, Dionysos, Aphrodite.

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