The Pelta

The Pelta
Observations about the pelta as geometric motif
This study concerns itself with the pelta motif on
Roman mosaics in Greece.
The aim is to show in what form and in what repeat
patterns the pelta is to be found on Greek soil.
Fig. 1
Naturally, the analysis can only concern itself
with those pelta mosaics that have already been
published and made known to a broad specialist
audience. It can’t be ruled out that there are other
variations in Roman Greece and the Greece of Late
Antiquity that aren’t dealt with here. In any case,
the material introduced here provides information
about preferences concerning the use of the motif in
different regions and eras.
Fig. 2
The pelta form used for repeat patterns is a purely
geometric decoration (Fig. 1-2).
In spite of the term „pelta“ and the apparent
similarity to real Amazon shields, there is no clear link
between the decoration and the weapon. Likewise,
representations of pelta-shaped shields on Roman
mosaics show no connection to the geometric pelta
decoration.
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