The ancient Romans observed "Mundus Patet" which translates as "the earth or pit is open".
It's believed the pit - an entrance to the netherworld - was placed either in the Forum Romanum or on the Palatine and sealed by a stone, the lapis manalis.
Three days each year,the 24 August, 5 October and 8 November the pit was opened so that offerings could be made to the gods which allowed a door to open between the worlds of the living and the dead.
Although, not a religious celebration, these days were observed as holidays when the living felt close to the dead and all temple doors were closed, no battles declared or weddings celebrated.
Some believed these three days were "days of ill omen" and the spirits of the dead would use their short return to the world of the living to foment mischief.
For those currently observing Halloween, you are following in the footsteps of the ancient Romans.
This mosaic is from Pompeii but is now in a museum in Naples.
This mosaïque you are using as an illustration was used at each beginning of the Rome serial, which is a great historical tv show in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteenak@gmx.fr
Hi enak, I agree; the TV series, Rome was great viewing! And you are correct the mosaic was used in the opening credits of the series.
ReplyDeleteActually, the mosaic is a Memento mori" (Latin for "remember, you must die") and as with so many other mosaics found in Pompeii it is allegorical. In this mosaic, the axis of the plumb line (libella) is Death (the skull) and life is represented by a butterfly resting on the "Wheel of Fortune"..
the mason's level (libella) has two threads hanging from it equally balancing the nature of the lives of both the rich, represented by the purple cloth on the left and the poor as symbolised by the goatskin on the right. Thus all life is precarious and should the thread of life break, the soul represented by the butterfly flies off.
Romans had a fascination with death and this particular mosaic was prominently displayed in the summer triclinium of a rich Pompeiian. One wonders how many discussions it provoked among visitors to the house.
Thank you Chris for this furrow explanation. I was aware of memento mori but the exact explanation of that one was unknowed to me until now ;-). This gives a lot to think of...
ReplyDeleteFrom enak@gmx.fr