Ancient World Review

Byzantine Mosaic Unearthed In Southern Israel

"A spectacular colorful mosaic dating to the Byzantine period (4th–6th centuries CE) was exposed in recent weeks in the fields of Kibbutz Bet Qama, in the B’nei Shimon regional council." Source: Israel Antiquities Authority via The Archaeology News Network.

"The well-preserved mosaic is decorated with geometric patterns and its corners are enhanced with amphorae (jars used to transport wine), a pair of peacocks, and a pair of doves pecking at grapes on a tendril. These are common designs that are known from this period; however, what makes this mosaic unique is the large number of motifs that were incorporated in one carpet."

Note: the video below shows Byzantine mosaics at Beiteddine Palace in Lebanon.

A Killer Bacterium Expands Its Legacy

"From the sixth through eighth century A.D., a terrifying illness called the Plague of Justinian gripped the Eastern Roman Empire. Like the Black Death pandemic that decimated Europe seven centuries later, this plague often caused death within a matter of days. New work by paleogeneticists at the University of Tübingen in Germany provides empirical evidence for an old historical theory: that the two pandemics were caused by the same pathogen." Source: Archaeology

Comment: Justinian was in the process of trying to reconquer the western half of the Roman Empire when his plans were derailed by the plague. He was infected himself and managed to recover, but he was apparently never the same again. It's interesting to realize that if none of this had happened, Europe as we know it today might never have come into existence. Note: the video below is an excerpt from the highly recommended History Channel documentary The Dark Ages.

Byzantine Greek Fire