Justinian: Did you mean...?

Details from the pastoral compositions in the Great Palace mosaics, Istanbul, Turkey. Period: Early Byzantine, circa: 6th century CE. Place: Constantinople, (Modern Istanbul, Turkey). The Great Palace Mosaic Museum was inaugurated in...

Detail from the pastoral compositions in the Great Palace mosaics. The Great Palace Mosaic Museum was inaugurated in 1987 CE. The mosaics in the museum mostly depict animals and humans in nature, mythological, pastoral motifs and hunting...

The okapi-headed leopard-griffin, Byzantine Mosaic, Period: Early Byzantine, circa 6th. century CE. Place: Constantinople, (Modern Istanbul, Turkey). Great Palace Mosaic Museum, Istanbul, Turkey. The Great Palace Mosaic Museum was inaugurated...

Located across the Hagia Sophia Museum, Yerebatan Sarayi is also known as the Basilica Cistern because of a basilica that was once located nearby as a cultural centre. It is the largest surviving underground cistern of Istanbul. Fatih Cistern...

The Monkey as a Bird-Catcher: The monkey under a date tree is holding a long stick in his hands and trying to catch birds. He has a wooden cage on his back with a bird on it. Monkeys are known to have been used in some chores. Period: Early...

Hoop-trundling: Four children are trundling hoops in this mosaic panel. Hoop-trundling was a popular sport and believed to be a healthy activity. Two boys are wearing blue shawls while the other two are wearing green ones, which represents...

Shrine of Ptolemy VIII & Cleopatra II, originally from the Temple of Isis, Philae, found reused in a Coptic church, Ptolemaic Dynasty, reign of Ptolemy VIII, c. 170-116 BCE. The shrine held a cult statue of the goddess Isis, who is mentioned...

Remnants of Theodosios' Hagia Sophia. A lamb relief representing 12 apostles. 5th. century CE, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey. The first name of the Church was ‘’Megale Ekklesia’’ which means ‘’the Grand Church’’. The first Hagia Sophia...

The tigriss-griffin: This tigriss (female) Griffin has two horns and wings and a wild look on its face. Crimson drops of blood come out of its mouth. Period: Early Byzantine, circa 6th. century C.E. Place: Constantinople, (Modern Istanbul...

A philosopher sitting on a rock. Byzantine Mosaic, Period: Early Byzantine, circa: 6th century CE. Place: Constantinople, (Modern Istanbul, Turkey). Great Palace Mosaic Museum, Istanbul, Turkey. The Great Palace Mosaic Museum was inaugurated...