ROMAN MOSAIC — a mosaic technique developed during the period of the Roman Empire, spanning from 27 BC to 476 AD.

While floor mosaics have a higher chance of survival, there are notable instances of wall mosaics discovered at Italian sites like Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Roman mosaics were crafted using tesserae, geometric blocks that formed figures, motifs, and patterns. Local sources provided natural stone, while cut brick, tile, and pottery added vibrant shades of blue, black, red, white, and yellow. Polychrome designs were prevalent, though monochrome examples exist. Occasionally, marble, glass, small pebbles, and even precious metals like gold were used as tesserae.

Advancements in mosaic technique led to the emblem, the centerpiece of all mosaics. Emblems were small mosaics featuring genre scenes or still life, distinguished by delicate, separately made tesserae. They were prominently placed within the main panel, adding depth and significance to the overall mosaic composition.