Portuguese 
Discovered beneath Trajan’s Baths, the Great Mosaic is over 9.75 meters tall and 15.85 meters long, featuring detailed scenes of a possible Roman port city near the Colosseum in Rome
A Roman mosaic from the 1st century A.D., measuring over 9.75 meters in height and 15.85 meters in length, will finally be revealed to the public in Rome. Known as the Great Mosaic, the collection lies beneath Trajan’s Baths, near the Colosseum, and is still being excavated.
More photos of the Great Mosaic here
-
NASA Pushed Experimental Aircraft to the Limit, Reaching Nearly 11,000 km/h for a Few Seconds and Concluded Historic Mission with a Planned Splashdown in the Pacific Ocean
-
Archaeologists Discover 1,600-Year-Old Skeleton Hidden Inside Jar in Bulgaria, Surrounded by Ashes, Melted Glass, and Signs of Dramatic End in Ancient Roman City
-
Luciano Hang Introduces Humanoid Robot “Zé Bot” to Complete Daily Tasks at Havan in Santa Catarina: Machine Delivers Reports to HR, Works at a Computer, Interacts with Employees, Dances, and Rings a Bell at Day’s End
-
Diver Transforms European Seafloor into Habitat by Sinking Over 30 Decommissioned Boats
The Great Mosaic May Be the Largest Wall Mosaic Ever Found in the Roman World
The artwork was initially identified in the 1990s but was only fully unearthed this year. According to archaeologist Francesco Pacetti, work has not yet determined exactly where the mosaic ends.
“We believe this is the largest wall mosaic ever found in the Roman world, and we are still excavating to discover where it ends,” said Pacetti.
The panel stands over 9.75 meters high and spans more than 15.85 meters of a subterranean wall. Along with the fresco known as “The Painted City,” the material forms a large decorative complex preserved on site.
The Artwork Features Human Figures and a Detailed Port City
Despite some parts being missing, the Great Mosaic retains elaborate scenes. There are life-size figures positioned around pillars, as well as blue and white elements and fragments of precious stones used to replicate the effect of light.
The upper section depicts theatrical scenes with moving figures. The lower level portrays a fortified port city, featuring a theater, a temple, public squares, gold statues, and neighborhoods represented with a high level of detail.
The buildings are depicted so precisely that it is possible to identify even the individual frames of the windows.
Pacetti noted that it is still unclear whether the landscape represents a city that truly existed or an idealized composition.
“It could be a real place or an idealized city; we’re not sure,” said the archaeologist.
Mosaic May Have Belonged to a Luxury Residence or the Domus Aurea
Experts believe that the decor could have belonged to a high-end private residence. Another possibility suggested is a connection to the Domus Aurea, the luxurious palace built by Emperor Nero.
The ensemble was buried in AD 109 when Emperor Trajan allocated the land for the construction of the Baths of Trajan, a public bath complex covering about 6 hectares.
Visitors Will Be Able to Enter Underground Gallery Near the Colosseum
Although excavation work is ongoing, the Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, advocated for opening the area to the public. “It was important not to wait any longer to open the site,” he stated.
During the initial testing period, visits will be limited to groups of up to 15 people. This measure will allow for observation of how the fragile structure responds to moisture generated by the presence of visitors inside the underground gallery.
Claudio Parisi Presicce, Rome’s culture secretary, stated that if the coastal city depicted in the mosaic corresponds to a real place, its identification would have exceptional importance.
This article was prepared based on information published by The Independent and The Times of London, with data, numbers, and statements preserved as per the consulted material.
