Scientists Discover the Most Detailed Mosaic Depicting the Trojan War in Greek Mythology.
The Trojan War is a significant event in Greek mythology. This well-preserved mosaic, created 1,600 years ago, showcases colorful images of ancient Greek soldiers and Amazon warriors battling in this epic conflict.
The mosaic covers an area of approximately 120 square meters.
The mosaic spans around 120 square meters, depicting scenes from the famous Trojan War. This legendary conflict took place between the ancient Greeks and the people of Troy over 2,000 years ago. According to experts, this is the rarest, clearest, and most intact mosaic in history.
Soldiers are shown wielding swords and shields bearing their names, alongside fierce Amazon warriors. Humam Saad, the head of the excavation, stated: “This new discovery is extremely rare in the world. The large mosaic is rich in detailed imagery, notably including portraits of ancient Amazon warriors.”
The Amazon warriors were legendary fighters in ancient Greek mythology, believed to have lived in what is now Ukraine.
The mosaic is one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in Syria.
Two of the most well-known Amazon warriors are Penthesilea, who participated in the Trojan War, and her sister Hippolyta, the owner of a magical girdle gifted by the god of war, Ares.
The mosaic also depicts Neptune, the ancient Roman god of the sea, along with his 40 lovers.
The rift between the ancient Greeks and the people of Troy began around the 12th century BCE when the Trojan prince Paris abducted Helen, the wife of Menelaus of Sparta.
Menelaus demanded that the Trojans return his wife, but they refused. He persuaded his brother Agamemnon to lead an army against Troy. The Greeks besieged Troy for nine years, but the city held out under the leadership of Hector and other royal family members. Ultimately, the Greeks devised a massive wooden horse, hollowed out to conceal a group of warriors inside. This cunning plan succeeded, leading to their eventual victory.
While it remains unclear whether the war actually occurred or is purely mythological, many researchers believe it to be true.
The mosaic is one of the most important archaeological discoveries in Syria. Despite the historical significance of Rastan for the country, Dr. Saad noted that there had been no significant excavation efforts in the town before the armed conflict erupted.
