Z21.2 APHRODITE, ADONIS & THE KHARITES

Museum Collection: Church of the Virgin Mary (in situ), Madaba, Jordan
Catalogue Number: TBA
Type: Floor Mosaic
Context: Roman ruins beneath the Church
Date: --
Period: Imperial Roman

SUMMARY

The goddess Aphrodite is seated in a garden beside her love, the youth Adonis (far right). She is attended by a company of three Kharites (Graces) and six Erotes (winged love gods). One of the latter has stuck his head inside a hive and is being attacked by the bees. A goddess named Karpoikis (Lady of the Fruits), probably the same as the Hora Karpo, stands to the left of the scene holding a basket of fruit and a captive quail.

ARTICLESKharites, Aphrodite, Erotes, Karpo