DOI Artikel:
Dyczek, Piotr: Roman mosaics in the villa of Hypnos in ancient Rhizon/Risinium (Montenegro): continuation of mosaics analysis
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.41950#0055
Piotr Dyczek
ROMAN MOSAICS IN THE VILLA OF HYPNOS
IN ANCIENT RHIZON/RISINIUM (MONTENEGRO)
— CONTINUATION OF MOSAIC ANALYSIS
Abstract: The article details the history of research on mosaics found by D. Vuksan in Risan and
the results of Polish excavations in the Yilla of Hypnos in 2004. The analysis presented herein fo-
cuses on the origins of the decoration and discusses the consequences for mosaic dating and in-
terpretation of architectural function.
Key words: Rhizon/Risinium, Roman mosaics
Preliminary Information on the mosaics from Risan has been published in Novensia 20,
particularly on the mosaic with a representation of Hypnos from the so-called Villa of
Hypnos [Fig. 1] in Risan. Morę details of the history of the other four known mosaics are
presented in the present article, which also brings a description of the new discoveries
madę by Polish archaeologists. An analysis of the ornaments has been undertaken and the
architectural function of the complex interpreted.
The floor mosaics discovered in the villa in Risan1 have madę it one of Montenegro’s
best known archaeological structures and it is from a mosaic representing a reclining Hyp-
nos that the building takes its modern name.2 In 1930, Duśan Vuksan tested the site on
behalf of the Ministry of Education.3 Following interviews with local residents, he sank
trenches 200 m from the shore, right in the center of the modern town which łies 500 m
to the southeast of Carine (the name originates from the Turkish customhouse), where the
ancient Rhizon/Risinium was located.4 A fortnight of testing in April was followed by reg-
ular excavations lasting a month in the summer. In his field Journal, Vuksan reported dis-
covering “... a Roman house erected in the early 2nd century AD at the latest ...” [Fig.
2], Four of the rooms had mosaic floors, although there is no certainty that these were the
same mosaics described in the memoirs of J. L. Vialla de Sommieres, governor of Kotor
province during the French occupation (1807-1814). It is likely because the western part
of the building had been undermined by the Pjeśćine stream, which washed away the opus
tessellatum on this side. The ruins were relatively shallow, no morę than a meter under-
1 Dyczek et alii 2004, pp. 101-118; Dyczek et alii 3 Vuksan 1932, p. 79.
2007, pp. 5-29; Dyczek 2009a, pp. 121-139. 4Vuksan 1931, pp. 204-205.
2 Dyczek 2009b, pp. 51-63.
ROMAN MOSAICS IN THE VILLA OF HYPNOS
IN ANCIENT RHIZON/RISINIUM (MONTENEGRO)
— CONTINUATION OF MOSAIC ANALYSIS
Abstract: The article details the history of research on mosaics found by D. Vuksan in Risan and
the results of Polish excavations in the Yilla of Hypnos in 2004. The analysis presented herein fo-
cuses on the origins of the decoration and discusses the consequences for mosaic dating and in-
terpretation of architectural function.
Key words: Rhizon/Risinium, Roman mosaics
Preliminary Information on the mosaics from Risan has been published in Novensia 20,
particularly on the mosaic with a representation of Hypnos from the so-called Villa of
Hypnos [Fig. 1] in Risan. Morę details of the history of the other four known mosaics are
presented in the present article, which also brings a description of the new discoveries
madę by Polish archaeologists. An analysis of the ornaments has been undertaken and the
architectural function of the complex interpreted.
The floor mosaics discovered in the villa in Risan1 have madę it one of Montenegro’s
best known archaeological structures and it is from a mosaic representing a reclining Hyp-
nos that the building takes its modern name.2 In 1930, Duśan Vuksan tested the site on
behalf of the Ministry of Education.3 Following interviews with local residents, he sank
trenches 200 m from the shore, right in the center of the modern town which łies 500 m
to the southeast of Carine (the name originates from the Turkish customhouse), where the
ancient Rhizon/Risinium was located.4 A fortnight of testing in April was followed by reg-
ular excavations lasting a month in the summer. In his field Journal, Vuksan reported dis-
covering “... a Roman house erected in the early 2nd century AD at the latest ...” [Fig.
2], Four of the rooms had mosaic floors, although there is no certainty that these were the
same mosaics described in the memoirs of J. L. Vialla de Sommieres, governor of Kotor
province during the French occupation (1807-1814). It is likely because the western part
of the building had been undermined by the Pjeśćine stream, which washed away the opus
tessellatum on this side. The ruins were relatively shallow, no morę than a meter under-
1 Dyczek et alii 2004, pp. 101-118; Dyczek et alii 3 Vuksan 1932, p. 79.
2007, pp. 5-29; Dyczek 2009a, pp. 121-139. 4Vuksan 1931, pp. 204-205.
2 Dyczek 2009b, pp. 51-63.