Domus du Collège Lumière, Roman archaeological site in Besançon, France.
The Domus du Collège Lumière is a Roman villa from the 2nd century with rooms arranged around a columned courtyard at its center. The floors throughout were decorated with intricate mosaics, with the largest and most elaborate ones in the formal reception areas.
Excavations between 1973 and 2004 revealed this villa, which stood in the ancient Roman city of Vesontio during the height of Roman rule in the region. It represented the home of a wealthy family during this prosperous period.
The main reception hall displays a mosaic showing Neptune in a chariot pulled by horses, reflecting the wealth and refined taste of the Roman family who lived here. Such grand decorations revealed how owners wanted to impress their guests.
Some mosaics remain visible at the site under protective glass, while other pieces are displayed at the city's Fine Arts Museum for preservation. Visiting both locations gives you a fuller understanding of the craftsmanship found in this home.
The western wing contains two impressive reception rooms, one decorated with a mosaic featuring Athena's shield bearing Medusa's head. This particular image was expensive and complex to create, showing the owner's substantial wealth.
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