Reid Pakes and Malcolm Harvin Conner
Hellistenic painting reflects the new taste for dramatic narrative subject matter. Although many of greeks murals and mosaics are lost to us today, the ones that are still here have been copied and are considered important to its culture. Mostof the Greek murals styles were adopted by the Roman architextes Many of the mosaics found by archeoligists were found in ancient greek homes, and Roman houses, but some could have been found in temples or meeting places. They were so commonly used in houses so as to add decoration. The mosaics can be found on the walls, the ground, and even the ceiling of Greek and Roman houses. Mosaics are pieced together and created from tesserae, which consists of small cubes of colored stone, marble and sometimes even painted pebbles.
These mosaics would have thin sheets of glass carefully placed on the pieces of marble and stone so as to protect the paints from washing away; ruining the piece of art. Mosaics also have a permanent waterproof that Greeks would use as a base so as to extend the amount of time that they would last. The mosaic "Alexandra the Great Confronts Darius III at the battle of Isos" was painted by a man named Philoxenos of Eretria, who elaboratley placed an array of colors to show this horriffic battle. This Mosaic was found in the ancient city of Rome, and was crafted in 310 BCE. Most of the mosaics are made with unique designs that tell a story about a god falling in love or a feat of war like in the battle of Alexander the Great. 
Leaves are usually used in most mosaics as an intricate border showing fluidity yet symmeticality. Alot of the mosacis show wars and battles fought by Greeks that help show the fighting spirit of this country and help us understand its culture.
These two murals shown are perfect example of the usual design of a usual mosaic and an intricate design of an unusual mosaic. The mosaic of Alexander the Great and one that seems to have been surrounded around either Cupid or Dionysus it is unclear which. In the battle of Alexander you see the ferocity and detail of a heroic and intense battle seen between the two opposing countries. Which is not unusual in most mosaics, but was still of great importance in its culture because Greeks were very proud of their accomplishments. Now this other piece seems to have been made in accordance with another God most likely made to honor him. Along the edges you can see the intricate vines and in a circle are a combintation of yellow, blue, and red made in a candy cane or twirl pattern.
Works Cited
Boardman, John. Greek Art. Thames: World of art, 1996.
Stockstad, Marilyn. Art A Brief History. Upper saddle river, new jersey: Pearson prentice hall, 2007.
Pics
{334 and 330 BCE Alexander the Great, coming out of Macedonia, defeats the Persian emperor and brings the word of Greek enlightenment to all of his territories.}
{Mosaic floor decorated with the head of Dionysos framed by ornaments. It comes from a Roman villa and dates to the 2nd century A.D.}
