Pebble mosaic dating to 4th century BC discovered in Greek city of 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: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
- 1) Sitia: The double opportunity for tourist take-off with the signature of UNESCO
- 2) Explosive increase in visitor numbers at the museums of Ancient Olympia and Delphi in March
- 3) Crete Tourism Organizations: Congratulations to Lina Mendoni for the Inclusion of the Minoan Palatial Centers in UNESCO
- 4) Lycaia 2025: 14th Revival of Ancient Sport and Culture Games in Lycaio Mountain
17/07 23:24
17/07 23:04
17/07 21:55
HCAA | Inspection for upgrade projects at Milos Airport – Defibrillator Donation by an Employee
17/07 20:21
17/07 15:11
Municipality of Athens: Crackdown on Illegal Outdoor Seating in Kolonaki
17/07 14:55
IATA | The EU's targets for the use of sustainable fuels are "impossible to achieve"
17/07 14:47
HAA and HAPCO & DES welcome the concession of Tae Kwon Do to the Region
17/07 14:19
17/07 14:17
SETKE | Suspension of JMD on Swimming Pools – Discontent over Lack of Consultation
17/07 14:13
Britain: Inflation Rises to 3.6% – Cost of Living and Criticism Grow
17/07 13:52
Increase in arrivals and overnight stays in tourist accommodations in May 2025
17/07 13:24
17/07 11:44
Sitia: The double opportunity for tourist take-off with the signature of UNESCO
17/07 11:39
17/07 11:12
Tryp by Wyndham Lisboa Caparica Mar: Renovation with inspiration from the coast
17/07 10:47
National Geographic in Santorini: New Documentary on the Island’s Volcano, History and Mysteries
17/07 08:03
Zig Zag Festival in Tzoumerka: A Cultural Passage from Earth to Sky
17/07 08:00
Aegean Takes Off for India – Direct Flights Begin in 2026 with New Airbus XLR
17/07 07:58
17/07 07:53
Enhanced Accessibility at Mitsis Hotels in Rhodes, Kos, and Crete
17/07 07:51
South Rethymno: A steady summer attraction with 4,000 visitors per day in Plakias
17/07 07:49
17/07 07:18
17/07 07:16
17/07 07:08
Air Mediterranean: New connections to Berlin, Cologne and Vienna from Athens
17/07 07:06
17/07 00:29
16/07 19:52
Eurobank: The Greek tourism model is changing - Less revenue per visitor, more arrivals
16/07 17:15
More students at the Galaxidi School of Tourism Education | Sustainability step
16/07 16:45
16/07 16:41
16/07 15:33
French Transavia invests in Thessaloniki during the winter season
16/07 15:28
Norovirus on board: New case on cruise ship, cases on the rise in 2025
16/07 15:22
Ryanair | Fire on new strikes by French air traffic controllers and Ursula von “Derlayed-Again”
16/07 14:43
3,000 inspections of recreational vehicle rentals by the Coast Guard
16/07 14:38
16/07 14:02
How New Cruise Demographics Are Redefining the Impact on Destinations
16/07 11:45
Kivotos Santorini has joined the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts program
16/07 10:51
Sani/Ikos Group offers free holidays to children from "The Smile of the Child"
16/07 10:48
16/07 10:25
16/07 08:04
Etihad – SKY express agreement: Gateway to 24 Greek islands and 3 Mediterranean cities
16/07 08:02
Decisions for tourist shelters in Leros, Chalkidiki, Xiromero and Agia Anna
16/07 07:59
The major airlines that... disappoint – The three worst for 2025
16/07 07:56
16/07 07:53
Symi cries out for mass tourism – 3 euro fee for day visitors
16/07 07:17
16/07 07:15
Explosive increase in visitor numbers at the museums of Ancient Olympia and Delphi in March
16/07 07:13
Expedia: Which Mykonos? Which Santorini? This is the new favorite Greek island
16/07 07:10
Municipality of Limni Plastira: Decision for 6 + 3 years lease of the Mesenikola Guesthouse
16/07 07:07
16/07 06:22
M. Tsakalakis in TN | Tourist Crete seeks protection of its reputation - Concern over bookings
16/07 06:19
Municipality of Soufli: Network of hiking trails with fire protection function
15/07 20:08
Velvento Festival 2025: Cultural rendezvous in the nature of Kozani
15/07 16:06
15/07 15:16
HCAA | + 7.5% passenger traffic at 24 state airports in 6 months, +5.2% overall
15/07 15:11
Green light for 2 strategic investments, amounting to 163 million euros, in tourism
15/07 12:39
Germany | Flights more expensive in the first half of 2025, especially within Europe
15/07 12:32
2,300 young artists painted Hospitality | HCC Student Competition
15/07 12:23
V. Kikilias: Comprehensive master plan for the port of Mykonos
15/07 12:19
15/07 11:36
How much did rodent noise pollution cost a hotel in Crete? | German court ruling
15/07 10:53
Suspension of the GNTO Russia operation - Promotion in the USA via a TV series
15/07 10:51
15/07 10:48
15/07 10:42
15/07 08:24
Public campsites on the Superfund's agenda: Asprovalta takes its turn - Kriopigi follows
15/07 08:06
Municipality of Oichalia: Platform for the promotion of tourism and culture
15/07 08:02
Sounds of Rhodope: A musical retrospective of the multicultural heritage of Thrace
15/07 07:57
WAVErunning 2025: Running alongside the waves for clean beaches
15/07 07:17
The “sunbed battle” is still going strong – What psychology is behind it
15/07 07:14
Permits for floating platforms in front of hotels in Anavyssos and Chania
15/07 07:11
Reduction of the minimum distance from neighboring uses for a kart track in Malia
15/07 07:09
Yiannis Hatzis: The future of Greek tourism lies in small hotel businesses
15/07 06:21
Nikos Chalkiadakis in Tornos News: Crete cannot stand a migrant accommodation facility
15/07 01:36
14/07 19:34
Rhodes Hotel Association | Signing of a local CBA with 11% increases over three years
14/07 19:30
14/07 15:53
Hoteliers' Campaign | "Tourists, thank you for visiting Mallorca"
14/07 15:34
14/07 13:58
EasyJet’s initiative for family reconnection without digital disruption
14/07 13:28
Eleni Skarveli: Greece Best European Destination at The Telegraph Travel Awards 2025
14/07 12:25
Skiathos nominated for the international distinction of “Most Desirable Island in Europe”
14/07 12:19
14/07 11:32
Jennifer Lopez celebrates her birthday at the opening of a hotel in Antalya
14/07 10:36
Wyndham: Partnership with Cygnett for 60 Hotels in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal
14/07 09:45
14/07 08:15
Balearis: Black Night for Bars - Difficult to find staff, but also customers
14/07 07:55
14/07 07:48
Chios Homeric sound: Music festival with classical education and world Greekness
14/07 07:11
14/07 07:02
Lycaia 2025: 14th Revival of Ancient Sport and Culture Games in Lycaio Mountain
14/07 06:58
14/07 01:14
13/07 16:30
13/07 16:06
Which airport hotels in Europe offer value, and what… they just cost
13/07 13:36
Climate crisis threatens Eurozone GDP: Possible drop of up to 5% by 2030
13/07 13:33
New round of tariffs by Trump: 30% on EU and Mexico – Fears of a trade war
13/07 08:40
“Give life to the dying shipbuilding yards” – Out of the 300+ in Greece, only 70 remain
13/07 07:47
IATA | The EU's targets for the use of sustainable fuels are "impossible to achieve"
Municipality of Athens: Crackdown on Illegal Outdoor Seating in Kolonaki
HCAA | Inspection for upgrade projects at Milos Airport – Defibrillator Donation by an Employee
SETKE | Suspension of JMD on Swimming Pools – Discontent over Lack of Consultation
Enhanced Accessibility at Mitsis Hotels in Rhodes, Kos, and Crete
National Geographic in Santorini: New Documentary on the Island’s Volcano, History and Mysteries
Sitia: The double opportunity for tourist take-off with the signature of UNESCO
Aegean Takes Off for India – Direct Flights Begin in 2026 with New Airbus XLR
Zig Zag Festival in Tzoumerka: A Cultural Passage from Earth to Sky
Britain: Inflation Rises to 3.6% – Cost of Living and Criticism Grow
HAA and HAPCO & DES welcome the concession of Tae Kwon Do to the Region
Increase in arrivals and overnight stays in tourist accommodations in May 2025
Tryp by Wyndham Lisboa Caparica Mar: Renovation with inspiration from the coast
South Rethymno: A steady summer attraction with 4,000 visitors per day in Plakias
Air Mediterranean: New connections to Berlin, Cologne and Vienna from Athens