Baths of Neptune--page 1 (of two pages)

Built by Hadrian (117-138) on pre-existing baths and then restored at the end of the 2nd and the fourth centuries CE



Mosaic with Neptune's wife, Amphitrite

The Nereid Amphitrite rides a hippocampus preceded by Hymenaeus (or a winged Eros with a torch, referring to marriage).
 

Triton surround Amphitrite

Interestingly, tritons are at the borders although Triton was the son of Poseidon and Amphitrite, presumably an event after marriage! Triton is a kind of merman, usually depicted with a human torso and a fish tail. Here the tritons play cymbals and have long snake-like tails.
 

Looking from the room with Amphitrite into the room with a mosaic depicting Neptune

This mosaic (see below) gave the baths their modern name. Here Neptune is depicted in a chariot drawn by four hippocampi encircled by sea monsters, dolphins, tritons, and Nereids.
 
 
 


Continue to page 2.

Go to Index for Ostia Antica



Click here to return to index of art historical sites.

Click here to return to index of artists and architects.

Click here to return to chronological index.

Click here to see the home page of Bluffton University.


© 2007 Mary Ann Sullivan. I have photographed (on site), scanned, and manipulated all the images on these pages. Please feel free to use them for personal or educational purposes. They are not available for commercial purposes.