Xenia motif

The "xenia" motif in Roman mosaic is a still life motif consisting of a grouping of various items, mostly edible, representing a generous offering (a "xenia") from a wealthy host to his guests.

Typical elements of a "xenia" motif include game hanging from hooks, fish, baskets of fruit (often overturned), and the like. Vitruvius lists specifically "poultry, eggs, vegetables, and other country produce". ["de Architectura", VI:7:4]

"Xenia" motifs are typically found in reception rooms.

The word "xenia" is Greek, and means 'hospitality'; in Latin, it came to mean presents for guests, and later presents in general. It also came to include a class of epigrammatic inscription attached to the presents, xenia epigrams.

Notes

References

* Katherine M.D. Dunbabin, "Mosaics of the Greek and Roman World", Cambridge: 1999.
* Stella Grobel Miller, "A Mosaic floor from a Roman villa at Anaploga", "Hesperia" 41:3:332 (July 1972).