Description

Immediate dispatch from Somerset. Nice book in great condition. Pages in excellent condition. No notes or highlighting. See images. Fantastic book.

About the book >.>.> For nearly 400 years Britain was ruled by Rome and during that time much of the landscape we know as Somerset was managed and farmed in large villa-based estates. These elaborate farms developed over this period so that by the end of the fourth century AD life for a rich landowner was very comfortable. Many villas contained lavish bath suites central heating systems painted and plastered rooms and not least mosaic floors. Over 180 mosaics are known at present from the historic county of Somerset. Only Gloucestershire which contained two major Roman towns has a larger number. Somerset mosaics include examples of outstanding quality and around the Roman town of Ilchester in particular several mosaics have been discovered which are remarkable for illustrating mythological stories. In Britain as a whole half the examples of such scenes (as opposed to single depictions of gods and goddesses) occur within twenty miles of the town. The villa at Low Ham is justly celebrated for its mosaic showing scenes from Virgil’s Aeneid and Ovid’s Metamorphoses probably inspired other mosaics such as the one recently discovered at Dinnington. (LL)