The Geometric Themes in the Mosaics of the Religious Complex of Mértola (Portugal)

Abstract

The Settlement of Mértola dates from at least the end of the second or early first millennium BC. In the so-called Iron Age, possibly in the third century BC, a walled enclosure with a total length of about 4 kilometres was constructed. This is equivalent to a fortified area of 173 acres. During the period of Roman domination, the city of Mirtylis minted coins and was an important trading port with an important set of structures, such as the forum or the castellum, some private residences and production sites within its walls. In the late forth century AD, when Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, important civil structures were built in Mértola, such as the tower near the river, and religious facilities such as funeral basilicas and a mausoleum. The sacred area developed on the platform of the old forum where, together with two imposing baptisteries, the mosaic fragments were found. Despite the scarcity of dating elements for the mosaics in Mértola, it would appear that they belong to the sixth century, a historical period in which the members of the community were buried with their epitaphs written in Greek, possibly because of the influence of tastes and fashions from the Byzantine East. During this and the next century, two important basilicas and a mausoleum were built in the suburbs of the city. On the forum, a set of religious buildings would therefore mark the Christian topography of Mértola.

Keywords

• mosaic
• religious complex
• late antiquity
• mértola
• portugal