---
title: Life and Easy Living
author: Dana Murray
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4041/life-and-easy-living/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Life and Easy Living

_Authored by [Dana Murray](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/murrayd7/)_

## Image File

[![Life and Easy Living](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/4041.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/4041.jpg)

## Image Caption

Floor [mosaic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mosaic/) with allegorical representation of Life and Easy Living. Crafted from limestone and glass tesserae, this mosaic was excavated in [Syria](https://www.worldhistory.org/syria/) and dates to approximately 350-400 CE. In the mosaic, an affluent couple is shown engaged in relaxed conversation on an elegant couch. The allegorical meaning is described through the [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) inscription tryphe - bios, which identifies the female figure as Tryphe, meaning soft and leisurely living. The male figure is Bios, meaning Life. The allegory is meant to imply that life should be accompanied by pleasurable living. The man is shown holding a magic wheel in his right hand, a charm used to keep lovers together. Its presence emphasizes the idea that Life and Easy Living should be inseparable. The mosaic is currently housed in the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

PhD student with interest in the art, architecture, and religion of ancient Greece and the Near East.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Murray, D. (2015, August 31). Life and Easy Living. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4041/life-and-easy-living/>
### Chicago
Murray, Dana. "Life and Easy Living." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 31, 2015. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4041/life-and-easy-living/>.
### MLA
Murray, Dana. "Life and Easy Living." *World History Encyclopedia*, 31 Aug 2015, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4041/life-and-easy-living/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Dana Murray](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/murrayd7/ "User Page: Dana Murray"), published on 31 August 2015. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, 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.