Mosaics from Antioch : Chronological implications for other regions ?

The numerous mosaics discovered at ancient Antioch and its suburbs established a chronological sequence that has been used to date mosaics from sites throughout the eastern Mediterranean. In particular, the exclusively geometric mosaics of the Kaoussie Church (A.D. 387) have been used to date other geometric mosaics to the years around A.D. 400. Such mosaics were laid in elaborate residences, synagogues and early churches. Independent chronologies established for Demetrias in Greece and Stobi in Macedonia demonstrate, however, that the preference for geometric mosaics lasted throughout the fifth century in Greece and the Balkans. These geometric mosaics share distinctive patterns and motifs with earlier mosaics from Syria, but also show differences; for example, they do not utilize the “rainbow style”. These comparisons demonstrate that local and regional preferences and resources are more crucial for dating than comparisons with distant sites. (Author’s abstract.)