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Allusion to Homer in the Mosaic of Odysseus and the Sirens from Dougga

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In this paper, I compare the mosaic in Dougga that depicts the section in The Odyssey decribing Odysseus’ encounter with the sirens to other instances of this scene type and other marine-themed mosaics in North Africa.
Title Allusion to Homer in the Mosaic of Odysseus and the Sirens from Dougga
Author Ramey, Sara (Class of 2015)
Advisor Cummins, Monessa (Faculty/Staff)
supporting host Grinnell College, Classics
Identifier (u2) CLS
Index Date 2015
Date Issued 05-14-2015
Publisher Grinnell College
Description Scenes from Homer’s epic poems were frequently rendered in mosaics across Roman North Africa. There are at least six instances of mosaics that depict Odysseus’ encounter with the sirens (Odyssey 7.45-51), including one finely executed example discovered at Dougga, in northern Tunisia. The scholarship on this mosaic focuses almost exclusively on the cultural significance of the depiction of a scene narrated by Homer. However, this mosaic’s meaning extends beyond its message of cultural sophistication. In this paper, I compare the mosaic from Dougga to other instances of this scene type and other marine-themed mosaics in North Africa. While the mosaic includes iconography necessary for viewers to identify it as a depiction of an episode narrated by Homer, it also includes generic elements unrelated to the Odysseus and the sirens scene type, particularly a fisherman in his boat. I argue that the inclusion of generic marine imagery in a scene depicting Odysseus and the sirens is an allusion to the patron’s wealth and access to resources, as well as his cultural sophistication. While demonstrating that each element of the depiction is generic, I will show how the mosaic is unique in its combination of motifs. The combination of generic imagery in this mosaic suggests that other mosaics in Roman North Africa could be read as depictions that convey individualized messages about the patron’s social status. These mosaics must be read in context to gain a fuller understanding of their cultural and social significance.
OCS Note This object was part of "Conferences @ Digital Grinnell", an instance of the Open Conference System (OCS) which was retired from service in September 2021.
Topic Odysseus, King of Ithaca (Mythological character)
Topic Sirens (Mythology) in art
Topic Mosaics
Geographic Tunisia--Thugga (Extinct city)
Temporal Ancient
Related Item Student Scholarship
Related Item Humanities Student Symposium
Related Item Digital Grinnell
Genre Essay
Extent 8 pages
Media Type PDF
Digital Origin Born digital
Classification NA3760
Language English
Access Condition Copyright to this work is held by the author(s), in accordance with United States copyright law (USC 17). Readers of this work have certain rights as defined by the law, including but not limited to fair use (17 USC 107 et seq.).
Identifier (u2) CLS
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