---
title: Mosaic Floor from a Villa at Hinton St. Mary
author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4971/mosaic-floor-from-a-villa-at-hinton-st-mary/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Mosaic Floor from a Villa at Hinton St. Mary

_Authored by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/)_

## Image File

[![Mosaic Floor from a Villa at Hinton St. Mary](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/4971.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/4971.jpg)

## Image Caption

This is the central roundel of a 4th century CE [mosaic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mosaic/) floor from a villa at Hinton St. Mary, Dorset. It is one of the most important early Christian remains from the [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/). The roundel is probably the earliest known mosaic picture of Christ. It is the focal point of the main floor in the position usually occupied by a figure of a pagan [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) or goddess. However, the [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) letters X and P (chi and rho) behind the head indicate that the person is probably Christ. They are the first two letters of the word Christ in Greek and the usual symbol of [early Christianity](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1205/early-christianity/). At either side are pomegranates, signalling immortality. Discovered and excavated between 1963-1964 CE. The full mosaic measures 8.1 by 5.2 metres. (The British Museum, London)

#### 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

Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/MRCPian)
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/osama-shukir-muhammed-amin/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Amin, O. S. M. (2016, April 20). Mosaic Floor from a Villa at Hinton St. Mary. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4971/mosaic-floor-from-a-villa-at-hinton-st-mary/>
### Chicago
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Mosaic Floor from a Villa at Hinton St. Mary." *World History Encyclopedia*, April 20, 2016. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4971/mosaic-floor-from-a-villa-at-hinton-st-mary/>.
### MLA
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Mosaic Floor from a Villa at Hinton St. Mary." *World History Encyclopedia*, 20 Apr 2016, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4971/mosaic-floor-from-a-villa-at-hinton-st-mary/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 20 April 2016. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.