A Motif of Parrots in Dionysian Contexts on Selected Examples of Hellenistic and Roman Mosaics

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of the mosaics in which parrots are represented as a motive accompanying Dionysian themes. Based on the written and iconographic sources, the author argues that a parrot was an intrinsic element of the visual language conveying ideas of earthly happiness and eternal bliss, as well as the Hellenistic concept of tryphé.

Keywords

• parrot
• Dionysos
• Nilotic scenes
• Roman mosaics
• tryphé