The Sacrifice of Iphigenia Mosaic in Empúries

The Sacrifice of Iphigenia Mosaic

The Sacrifice of Iphigenia is a remarkable Roman mosaic that depicts a famous scene from Greek mythology.

What is a Mosaic?

A mosaic is a decorative element formed by combining tesserae (small, regular, square fragments of stone, glass, and other materials) of various colors to create different shapes, patterns, and narrative scenes.

Historical Context of Empúries

When the Greeks arrived in Empúries around 580 BC and founded the colony, it became the most important commercial hub on the Iberian Peninsula. In 218 BC, the Romans arrived in Empúries, marking the beginning of the Roman conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. From the 1st century AD, Roman presence was firmly established for many years, even as other Roman towns like Barcino (Barcelona), Gerunda (Girona), and Tarraco (Tarragona) gained prominence.

From 580 BC until the 1st century AD, Ampurias (Empúries) remained a dynamic city. Today, three Roman domus from the Republican era are preserved in Empúries. These homes were later expanded with large rooms, gardens, stunning mosaics, wall paintings, and rich decorations.

Formal Description and Techniques

This Roman mosaic was crafted using a combination of three distinct techniques: opus tessellatum, opus vermiculatum, and opus sectile. It features a mix of different shapes and sizes of tesserae made of marble and stone in various colors. In the foreground, we see an altar prepared for the sacrifice, surrounded by branches and a burning torch.

Analysis of the Characters and Scene

In the middle ground, from left to right, the main characters of the myth are depicted:

• Agamemnon: Covering his face with gestures of deep pain.
• Iphigenia: Standing next to him with her head covered by a veil.
• Ulysses: Standing by her side, holding a scepter.
• Calchas: Dressed in white, wearing a ribbon on his head, and holding a sacrificial knife in his right hand.
• Menelaus: The king, holding a scepter in his left hand.

Below them, we see a servant of Menelaus. He is depicted disproportionately compared to the other characters, serving as the assistant helping with the sacrifice. He carries a sacred tray in his right hand, a towel, and a golden sacred vessel.

Behind these main figures, in the background (the third plane), are four youths without helmets. On one side, Achilles represents courage, and a woman appears behind Ulysses. These four figures contemplate the tragic scene from a military tent.

In the upper band, resting on a column on the left side, are two representations of Apollo holding a lyre, representing music. Beside him is the goddess Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, equipped with a bow. Apollo and Artemis, who are siblings, preside over the sacrifice. On the right, Artemis is represented again with a deer, a highly significant symbol in this myth. In the lower-left corner, a shield is visible. Natural elements, such as trees, are also integrated into the scene to ground the setting.