Roman Britain Mosaic Depicts Scenes from Lost Trojan War Tale

In 2020, a farmer in Rutland county, England, alerted authorities to the potential existence of a Roman villa on his property. An investigation by the University of Leicester Archaeological Services not only confirmed the farmer's suspicions but also unveiled a remarkable fourth-century A.D. mosaic, now known as the Ketton Mosaic.

This mosaic features three distinct scenes from the Trojan War: the duel between Hector and Achilles, the dragging of Hector's body, and the ransom of Hector's body by King Priam. Initially, experts believed these scenes were derived from Homer's Iliad, the most renowned account of the mythological Trojan War.

However, further analysis indicated inconsistencies with Homer's narrative. For instance, the mosaic depicts Hector and Achilles battling from chariots, whereas in the Iliad, they fight on foot. Experts now suggest that the mosaic’s narrative likely comes from an alternative version of the Trojan War, specifically a lost tragic play by Aeschylus titled Phrygians.

This significant discovery enhances our understanding of cultural narratives and artistic expressions during Roman Britain, highlighting the complexities of myth transmission across cultures. The findings were reported by the University of Leicester and detailed in the scholarly article in Britannia.