DESCRIPTION:

Here is depicted the tragic story of Phaedra and Hippolytos, one of the most popular subjects in literature and art of antiquity. Phaedra, Theseus' second wife and Hippolytos' stepmother, fell madly in love with the young man. Unable to resist her feelings, she sent a written message to Hippolytos in which she confessed her forbidden love to him. However, Hippolytos rejected her proposals and in order to take revenge on him, Phaedra accused him to his father of making advances onto her. Theseus, outraged at this accusation, prayed to Poseidon to punish Hippolytos. A furious bull, sent by the god, frightened the horses pulling Hippolytos' chariot. The chariot overturned and the young man was killed by falling onto the rocks. After his death the truth was revealed and Phaedra, stricken by remorse, committed suicide. The mosaic depicts two parallel episodes: on the left, Hippolytos on a hunting expedition (with hunting boots and a dog) who has just read Phaedra's message, while on the right, Phaedra in her palace sits on the throne awaiting Hippolytos' reaction. Behind Phaedra, Eros flies, holding the torch of love and a bow.