Mythologie classique et mosaïques tardives d’Hispanie (IVe s.)

In the 4th century at the western limits of the Roman Empire, when paganism and Christianity are still coexisting, the pagan Hispano-Roman aristocracy assumes a specific position in regard to Greco-Roman myths. Traditional iconographical programs inspired by classical literature and the innovative use of the wedding of Cadmos and Harmonia in the presence of the Olympian gods in different rooms of villas demonstrate a real revival of classical mythology in this culture. The following mosaics are considered: (I) the Triumph of Dionysus, a favorite late antique theme, with different and original characteristics in the villas of Torre de Palma (Alentejo, Portugal), Fuente Alamo (Puente-Genil, Córdoba) and El Olivar d’El Centeno (Cáceres) ; (II) the wedding of Cadmos and Harmonia in the villa of La Malena (Zaragoza) ; (III) the death of Adonis in the presence of Mars and Venus, in the oecus of the villa of Carranque (Toledo); and (IV) the mosaics discovered in 1997 in the villa of Arellano (Navarra) by M. A. Mezquíriz, for which the A. proposes a different identification. [Author]