---
title: Damnatio ad Bestias Mosaic
author: Carole Raddato
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19160/damnatio-ad-bestias-mosaic/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
updated: 2024-06-26
---

# Damnatio ad Bestias Mosaic

_Authored by Carole Raddato_

## Image File

[![Damnatio ad Bestias Mosaic](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/19160.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/19160.jpg)

## Image Caption

[Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) [mosaic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mosaic/) depicting *damnatio ad bestias* where two condemned men are being thrown to the beasts. The arena is littered with spears and splashes of blood. Numerous animals can be seen, including five bears and six big cats. In the two surviving corners of the mosaic, wild felines very graphically attack two male victims. In the centre stands a trophy-decorated structure, possibly indicating that the spectacle was associated with a military victory. The mosaic dates to the beginning of the 3rd century CE.

El Jem Museum, Tunisia.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Raddato, C. (2024, June 26). Damnatio ad Bestias Mosaic. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19160/damnatio-ad-bestias-mosaic/>
### Chicago
Raddato, Carole. "Damnatio ad Bestias Mosaic." *World History Encyclopedia*, June 26, 2024. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19160/damnatio-ad-bestias-mosaic/>.
### MLA
Raddato, Carole. "Damnatio ad Bestias Mosaic." *World History Encyclopedia*, 26 Jun 2024, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19160/damnatio-ad-bestias-mosaic/>.

## License & Copyright

[![copyright source](/images/partners/white-flickr.png)](https://www.flickr.com/photos/carolemage/52718342060/)This image was first published on [Flickr](http://www.flickr.com). [Original image](https://www.flickr.com/photos/carolemage/52718342060/) by [**Carole Raddato**](https://www.flickr.com/photos/carolemage/52718342060/). Submitted by [Carole Raddato](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/FollowingHadrian/ "User Page: Carole Raddato"), published on 26 June 2024. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon a work even for commercial reasons, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.