Mosaic with Street MusiciansDioskourides of Samos1st century BCEThe Naples National Archaeologi

Mosaic with Street Musicians
Dioskourides of Samos
1st century BCE
The Naples National Archaeological Museum, Naples, Italy

This Mosaic with Street Musicians, signed by Dioskourides of Samos was found in the so-called Villa of Cicero near the ancient city of Pompeii. The mosaic depicts an episode from a comedy, since the figures are wearing theatrical masks. The figures are playing musical instruments often connected with the cult of Cybele: the tambourine, small cymbals and the double flute.

This particular mosaic dates from the first century BCE, but the scene is known from the 3rd century BCE onward. It is found in paintings and mosaics until the 3rd century CE. The play is not immediately identifiable from this mosaic. (http://sights.seindal.dk/sight/1089_Mosaic_with_Street_Musicians.html)