Mosaic floor of an early Byzantine basilica 
© Ephorate of Antiquities of Phocis, Ministry of Culture and Sports

In the Museum of Delphi is exhibited a mosaic floor from the early Christian basilica of the first half of the 6th century A.D., discovered in 1959 in the village of modern Delphi. It is richly decorated and combines geometric, floral, animal and anthropomorphic patterns as well as symbolic depictions.

The canvas of the mosaic is divided in compartments, each one bearing a different theme: fish and other marine beings, birds, wild and tame animals, anthemia, vases, a young shepherd. Along the central nave is preserved a part of a dedicatory inscription as well as a round medallion with a panther devouring a deer, surrounded by peacocks and eagles with spread wings. In the squares of the corners young figures personifying the four seasons are depicted  holding a canister with fruit and a bunch of crops. The mosaic bears an inscription reading ΚΑ[ΛΟΙ] ΚΑΙ[ΡΟΙ] (Good weathers). Stylistic analysis has proved that it was the work of an important workshop of mosaic artists. 

Text: Ephorate of Antiquities of Phocis
Translation: Dr. Aphrodite Kamara, Historian