• Home
• 1. 1. The Roman villa: source texts and archaeological evidence
     1. What is a villa?
     2. Antiquarians and archaeologists
     3. The villa in Roman Gaul
  2. 2. Loupian, a villa in Gallia Narbonensis
     1. A Roman estate on the plains of Languedoc
     2. Farming along the Mediterranean
     3. Farms in the 1st century BCE
     4. Wine-growing villas in the Early Roman Empire
     5. The residence in Late Antiquity
     6. An archaeological site for the public
     7. 3D reconstructions of Loupian
     8. Virtual visit
        1. Mosaic A – Octagon Mosaic
        2. Mosaic A’ – Autumn and Winter
        3. Mosaic B – The Ivy Mosaic
        4. Mosaic C – The Two-Carpet Mosaic
        5. Mosaic D – Bird Mosaic
        6. Mosaic E – The Archway Mosaic
        7. Mosaic E’ - Acanthus Seed Mosaic
        8. Mosaic I – Swastika Mosaic
        9. Mosaic J – Cross of U-Shapes Mosaic
        10. Mosaic L – Star Mosaic
        11. Mosaic M – Thistle Mosaic
        12. Mosaic N – Spring
        13. Mosaic O – Vine Branch Mosaic
  3. 3. The villa in the provinces of Gaul
• Annexes
  1. Resources
  2. Timeline
• Site map
• Credits
• Accessibility policy
• Versions
  1. English version
  2. Flash version

Mosaic A – Octagon Mosaic

This apse-based mosaic consists of a simple, harmonious composition of large and small octagons delineated by a two-strand guilloche pattern. The small tesserae and the palette of colours – as many as ten different shades – combine to form a remarkably high-quality ensemble.

There is an astonishing variety of patterns, including realistic and stylised plant motifs, geometric patterns and three-dimensional shapes. The repertoire and handling of these elements are very reminiscent of mosaics from Aquitaine. Some are strikingly similar to those found in mosaics in the villa at Séviac.

Mosaic A – Octagon Mosaic.

Octagon decorated with a plant composition.
© Raymond Rogliano, sarl Mosaïque

Mosaic A – Octagon Mosaic.

Half-octagon with geometric design (three-dimensional representations of hollow blocks).
© Raymond Rogliano, sarl Mosaïque

Mosaic A – Octagon Mosaic

Mirror pattern.
© Raymond Rogliano, sarl Mosaïque

Mosaic A – Octagon Mosaic.

Detail of a vine leaf.
© Raymond Rogliano, sarl Mosaïque