Pebble mosaic dating to 4th century BC discovered in Greek city of Arta

Α Decrease font Enlarge font
Pebble mosaic dating to 4th century BC discovered in Greek city of ArtaBathhouse dated to the 4th century BC was unearthed during an excavation at the Small Theater of Ancient Amvrakia. Photo Source: Ephorate of Antiquities in Arta

A pebble mosaic in a bathhouse dated to the 4th century BC was unearthed during an excavation at the Small Theater of Ancient Amvrakia conducted recently by the Ephorate of Antiquities in Arta, ANA reports.

The round mosaic consists of small white, off-white and dark river pebbles showing scenes related to water. Besides a border decoration setting it off from other spaces, it features cupids playing with animals, swans, fish, water fowl and an octopus.

The pebble mosaic is earlier than the theater, and is related to a similar mosaic found in the '70s, partly covered by the eastern part of the theater and later removed to the Archaeological Museum of Arta.

Photo Source: Ephorate of Antiquities in Arta


In a press statement, the Arta ephorate said the dating was based on architectural evidence and on comparisons with pebble mosaics found at the Ancient Corinth baths, dated to the mid-4th century.

The supervision of the excavations is carried out by archaeologist Nektarios-Petros Gioutsos and three conservators have already taken measures to preserve and stabilize the new find.

Arta, in western Greece, has been inhabited continuously from antiquity to the present, and the layered remains of older settlements are still visible in various parts of the present city. The Small Theater is situated in the center of the modern city.

The excavation is funded by the EU's NSRF funding plan for 2014-2020.

Arta in Antiquity

Arta (Greek: Άρτα) is a city in northwestern Greece, capital of the regional unit of Arta, which is part of Epirus region. The city was known in ancient times as Ambracia (Ancient Greek: Ἀμβρακία). Arta is known for the medieval bridge over the Arachthos River. It is also known for its ancient sites from the era of Pyrrhus of Epirus and its well-preserved 13th-century castle. Arta's Byzantine history is reflected in its many Byzantine churches; perhaps the best known is the Panagia Paregoretissa (Mother of God the Consoling), built about 1290 by Despot Nikephoros I Komnenos Doukas. 

The first settlement in the area of the modern city dates to the 9th century B.C. Ambracia was founded as a Corinthian colony in the 7th century B.C. In 294 BC, after forty-three years of semi-autonomy under Macedonian suzerainty, Ambracia was given to Pyrrhus, king of the Molossians and of Epirus, who made it his capital, using Ambracia as a base to attack the Romans. Pyrrhus managed to achieve great but costly victories against the Romans, hence the phrase "Pyrrhic victory" which refers in particular to an exchange at the Battle of Asculum. Nevertheless, Pyrrhus found the time and means to adorn his capital with a palace, temples and theatres. In 146 BC, Ambracia became part of the Roman Republic.

RELATED TOPICS: GreeceGreek tourism newsTourism in GreeceGreek islandsHotels in GreeceTravel to GreeceGreek destinations Greek travel marketGreek tourism statisticsGreek tourism report

 

Tornos
  1. 10/02 16:58

    Saudia: New seasonal connection Jeddah – Heraklion in summer 2025

  2. 10/02 14:54

    Opening Crete to the Indian and Asian tourism market

  3. 10/02 14:40

    1 in 4 fall in love while traveling - Valentine's Day survey

  4. 10/02 09:34

    Expedia Group: 12% more nights in 2024

  5. 10/02 07:49

    Decisions for 6 hotels in Rhodes, Spetses, Crete, Kalamata, and Agia Marina Fthiotidas

  6. 10/02 07:44

    Greek yachting at the BOOT exhibition

  7. 09/02 19:36

    Rethymno Carnival 2025 | The event of the theme “Come to the Light” is fantastic

  8. 09/02 07:32

    How can tourism contribute to the growth of Greek cosmetic products in Britain

  9. 09/02 07:29

    Castle scholars from all over the world promote Frogakastello in Crete

  10. 08/02 18:02

    Landing of Kantanos-Selinou Municipality in Reisen Hamburg 2025 exhibition

  11. 08/02 08:24

    Chris Nassetta, Hilton: Optimistic about 2025 despite market challenges

  12. 08/02 07:19

    Seven shipwrecks removed from Pylos marina

  13. 07/02 23:09

    Grant payments for 4 hotel investments in Paxos, Lefkada, Zakynthos and Chania

  14. 07/02 18:40

    Olga Kefalogianni in HORECA | Greece has experience in managing natural phenomena

  15. 07/02 15:06

    FedHATTA: “Opening up” of Greek travel agencies to the Iranian market

  16. 07/02 14:35

    New Head of Hotel Purchasing at alltours

  17. 07/02 13:49

    ShortStay Conference 2025 returns to Athens

  18. 07/02 13:26

    Applications for the Best Tourism Villages 2025 are now open

  19. 07/02 13:02

    Springer Reisen: 20 connections to Greek islands this summer

  20. 07/02 12:26

    Greece: Nearly 30 million international air arrivals in 2024 - Who traveled where

  21. 07/02 11:19

    Europe as a single tourist destination - A. Fiorentinos at the Destination Europe Summit 2025

  22. 07/02 06:55

    Positive prospects for tourism in 2025 but major “thorns” remain

  23. 07/02 06:41

    British travel agents “discover” Naxos - Record arrivals in 2024

  24. 07/02 06:14

    Donation from HEDNO for the restoration of the Ottoman Bath of Kalloni in Lesvos

  25. 06/02 18:58

    Work on the Thessaloniki Flyover is progressing at a rapid pace

  26. 06/02 18:54

    Sports Tourism | Ministerial meeting for the Euroleague Coaches Conference 2025

  27. 06/02 18:25

    29.3 million international air arrivals in 2024, with clear signs of an extended season

  28. 06/02 16:43

    Artificial intelligence in tourism: what TUI research shows

  29. 06/02 15:49

    Greece, a holiday and investment destination for Arabs

  30. 06/02 14:42

    Sotheby’s: The Athenian Riviera is first in demand for luxury properties

  31. 06/02 13:48

    More flights to Greece in 2025 from the Irish market

  32. 06/02 12:05

    Travelers are paying attention to cost and quality, few to sustainability

  33. 06/02 11:57

    Wyndham and HR Group expand into Germany, Austria and the Netherlands

  34. 06/02 07:37

    How will Naxos deal with the risk of water shortages ahead of the tourist season

  35. 06/02 07:28

    Attica Region: There is no overtourism in Athens - a warning for infrastructure

  36. 06/02 07:16

    Grant payments for 4 hotel investments in Rhodes, Chania, Itilo and Sivota

  37. 06/02 07:05

    Crete will send its visitors for greens!

  38. 06/02 06:11

    Municipality of Folegandros: Prohibition of roaming or grazing animals in tourist areas

  39. 05/02 19:57

    Milos Municipality attempts to block second investment for 5-star hotel

  40. 05/02 19:03

    National Action Plan for Cycling, with development in cycling tourism

  41. 05/02 16:51

    Curtain Call for the 2025 Rethymno Carnival

  42. 05/02 15:46

    Ryanair: New Brussels – Volos connection in summer 2025

  43. 05/02 12:41

    The first robotic restaurant with artificial intelligence at Barcelona Airport

  44. 05/02 12:40

    Athens Airport: 2025 started on a positive note,+14.5% passengers in January

  45. 05/02 12:35

    How foreign travel professionals will promote Greek destinations

  46. 05/02 11:45

    Tourism: 4 Greek islands capture Americans’ 2025 vacation interest

  47. 05/02 07:04

    Grants for a boat shelter in Halkidiki and hotels in Chania, Zagori, and Koroni

  48. 05/02 07:02

    5 new hotel investments in the Greek siland of Crete

  49. 05/02 06:53

    Conde Nast Traveller | Crete among the 29 best places to visit before summer

  50. 05/02 06:22

    The big bet of the next 10 years for Aegean Airways

  51. 05/02 06:14

    Travel agents’ introduction to Kalamata

  52. 05/02 06:13

    Holy Metropolis of Rhodes: Digital Promotion of Museums Network and Monuments

  53. 05/02 06:09

    Grand Egyptian Museum to open on July 3

  54. 04/02 22:49

    Main Patras-Pyrgos highway section due to finish July 31, open to traffic soon

  55. 04/02 20:18

    Hellenic Republic President to receive new Ambassadors of Vietnam, Ireland, and Sweden

  56. 04/02 19:53

    Celestyal: Free cabin upgrades on select cruises

  57. 04/02 17:31

    Pan-Cretan Forum | Promoting Cretan products in Cretan hotels for the 13th year

  58. 04/02 16:05

    SKY Express: Free tickets for children and teachers on Santorini-Athens flights 

  59. 04/02 14:57

    Two new flight connections to Athens taking off in February

  60. 04/02 14:40

    The allure of cruising has captivated "first-timers"

  61. 04/02 14:01

    SkyUp Airlines: Two new connections to Athens and Corfu from Moldova

  62. 04/02 11:34

    Rethymno Hoteliers head | The upcoming tourist season is predicted to be "quite good"

  63. 04/02 11:25

    European Hotels: "Stop" on single-use plastic packaging from 2030

  64. 04/02 07:13

    Greek hotels: Revenues in 2024 soar 11% above 2023 - read the latest investments

  65. 04/02 06:58

    Filming at Kallimarmaro Stadium in Athens to create an electronic map

  66. 03/02 23:01

    Promoting Greek olive oil in the Austrian market

  67. 03/02 18:11

    Rhodes welcomes the first cruise ship for 2025

  68. 03/02 17:15

    Chania: Smart barriers to protect the Venetian port and its visitors

  69. 03/02 16:02

    Rhodes: The season kicks off on March 28, wounds from "Bora" storm remains

  70. 03/02 15:53

    GNTO: 4 ERMIS awards for Olympic campaign in France

  71. 03/02 15:08

    Promotion of Lesvos in Istanbul - Participation in EMITT 2025

  72. 03/02 14:48

    FedHATTA: Chinese New Year Celebration in Athens

  73. 03/02 13:14

    Wyndham Hotels: Agreement with Zafido Holding for a new hotel in Piraeus

  74. 03/02 12:25

    easyJet: New connection to Thessaloniki in summer 2025

  75. 03/02 11:03

    HolidayCheck: These are the 50 most popular Greek hotels in Germany for 2025

  76. 03/02 10:29

    Cruises to Chania make a positive first impression in 2025 - 1,347 visitors daily

  77. 03/02 06:38

    iAlonissos: Digital promotion of local natural and cultural attractions

  78. 03/02 06:25

    5 new hotel investments in Lefkada, Rhodes, Ios, Karystos and Trikala

  79. 02/02 20:08

    The travel profile of expatriates from Australia - the rescue of Rex

  80. 02/02 06:48

    Spanish tourists "vote" for Greek honey

  81. 01/02 13:58

    Tourism in Turkey beats expectations - 62 million arrivals, $61 billion in revenue in 2024

  82. 01/02 07:04

    Volotea: Codeshare cooperation with Aegean to run on 13 routes

  83. 31/01 18:11

    10 new hotel investments in Corfu, Rhodes, Paros, Ios, Skiathos, Samos, Kalambaka and Kranidi

  84. 31/01 17:49

    Booking.com | Hotels: Don't leave negative guest reviews unanswered

  85. 31/01 10:18

    The Region of Crete at the FITUR exhibition - Promising prospects from Spanish-speaking markets

  86. 31/01 10:15

    ITEP Survey: Hotel Performance stagnant in Greece in December

  87. 31/01 07:03

    Municipality of Agrinio reacts to photovoltaic plant in Kremaston Lake - threat to tourism

  88. 31/01 06:54

    Explosion of Turkish tourists in Lesvos, Chios, and Samos

  89. 31/01 06:07

    Mitsis Group: Donation of an architectural study to enhance a beachfront in Crete

  90. 31/01 00:02

    Commission: First comprehensive European strategy for tourism coming

  91. 30/01 23:08

    Greek Culture Ministers to attend European conference in support of Ukraine's heritage

  92. 30/01 18:58

    Cruise: Viking Libra to make maiden voyage in 2026 from Piraeus

  93. 30/01 17:56

    Record year in 2024 for international air transport – Now “flying” above 2019

  94. 30/01 17:50

    Accessible tourism on the beaches of the Municipality of Agios Vasilios, Crete

  95. 30/01 16:40

    Travel | London is now the top destination for Greeks abroad

  96. 30/01 16:23

    Aegean: 40% increase in available seats from Saudi Arabia in 2025

  97. 30/01 16:04

    UK Tourism | Lesser-known destinations and experiential travel the main trend in 2025

  98. 30/01 14:35

    Pancretan Association of Hotel Managers Seminars underway for 2025

  99. 30/01 13:22

    Airbnb is “sweeping” Europe - Demand is growing faster than supply in Greece

  100. 30/01 11:17

    Airbnb | 76 billion euros in revenue for hosts in Europe in 2024