Seasonal animals in the narthex mosaic of the Large Basilica, Heraclea Lyncestis

A discussion focusing on the animals on either side of the central motif in the sixth-century narthex mosaic of the Large Basilica at Heraclea Lyncestis. The pavement also shows trees, plants and birds and is framed by a border with sea creatures. The author notes a resemblance between the animals on the left – a wild goat and a bull confronting a lion – and the constellations of Aries, Taurus and Leo. These are associated with spring and summer. The animals on the right – a missing animal which the author suggests was probably a boar, a red dog and a leopard – also relate to the annual cycle: the dog depicts the constellation of Canis Major associated with late summer/early autumn and the leopard is associated with Dionysus and autumn.