Roman mosaics from the Villa of Hypnos in ancient Rhizon/Risinium (Montenegro) – continuation of mosaics analysis

The article presents the history of research on mosaics found by Dušan Vuksan in Risan, the conservation work done by Čedo Marković and the results of Polish excavations in the Villa of Hypnos in 2004. The floor discovered in the villa in Risan have made it one of Montenegro's best known archaeological structures, with its mosaic representing a reclining Hypnos which gave to the building its modern name. The analysis presented herein focuses on the origins of the decoration and discusses the consequences for mosaic dating and interpretation of the architectural function. The mosaics are characterized by a richness of form, the ornaments ranging from geometric to floral. The predominant colours are black and white. Geometric and floral motifs are common. Hybrid motifs are also present such as rosettes. As far as geometric motifs are concerned, whole panels can be repeated (checkers, triangles, squares and circles), or else individual motifs (triangles, dentils), and their variants (squares, peltae, spindles, semicircles, circles, diamonds and lines of different widths). These shared characteristics indicate that the mosaics were crafted in a single workshop, reflecting the same aesthetics and types of skills. The complicated designs must have been composed and executed by skilled artisans. The pelta motif suggests that the mosaics belong to the Salona school. The Risan floor mosaics must have been made at the end of the reign of Antoninus Pius (138-161).