An important Gallo-Roman villa was discovered during earthworks at a farm in Vichten in spring 1994. Excavations carried out in spring 1995 on a small part of the structures uncovered a sumptuous polychrome mosaic in an exceptional state of conservation. Measuring 61.3 m² (10.36 x 5.92 m), it adorned the floor of what had been the reception room of the villa.

Part of the mosaic consists of purely decorative elements, including friezes of interlace and rinceaux as well as rounded swastikas with endless knots at their centres. These abstract elements frame a spectacular central scene: Homer and the nine Muses. The central octagonal medallion is surrounded by eight medallions of the same shape, each of them representing one of the Muses in the order defined by the Greek author Hesiod around 700 BC: Clio, muse of history – Euterpe, muse of music and lyric poetry – Thalia, muse of comedy – Melpomene, muse of tragedy – Terpsichore, muse of dance and dramatic choruses – Erato, muse of love poetry – Polyhymnia, muse of choir songs and harmony – Urania, muse of astronomy, and finally, in the central medallion, Homer, “Prince of Poets”, accompanied by Calliope, the muse of epic and elegiac poetry.

The eight Muses surrounding the central medallion are arranged axially towards the middle of the central octagon. The figures, their costumes and attributes, as well as the Latin inscriptions of their names are rendered very neatly and in great detail.

This true masterpiece is one of the most beautiful known representations of the Nine Muses, and it testifies to the sponsor’s interest in philosophical and literary culture.

Text | CC BY-NC | Fabienne Pietruk