The Designs

The largest mosaic contains a large design, part of which is centered around a depiction of two fish, and the Gaianus and Brutius inscriptions (learn more about the inscriptions [hyperlink to page]). The central decoration is the fish medallion (see below) and the surrounding design. The medallion is highlighted by the eight boxes forming an octagon around it, which are further connected by triangles and rhombuses. The entire design is enclosed in a square, again drawing attention to it.

Opposite the mosaic with the fish medallion, on the other side of the table base, is another large mosaic, featuring a guilloche (braided ropes) border and a repeated geometric pattern that separates the two inscriptions on it, the Akeptous and the Women’s inscriptions.

Between the two large mosaics with inscriptions and flanking the other two sides of the table, are two smaller mosaics, each with a repeated diamond pattern.

The four mosaic designs focus all attention on the table at the center, likely used to celebrate the Eucharist, or Lord’s Supper. The inscriptions are also positioned in such a way as to be read by people standing around the table. The geometric shapes and patterns, from the borders to the octagon boxes, convey ideas of eternity, symmetry, and perfection.

The Fish Medallion

The fish is the earliest symbol of Christianity. It predates the cross, which was not widely used until after the time of Constantine. Why? The Greek word for fish—ΙΧΘΥΣ (ICHTHYS)—is an acronym for “Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior.”

• I = Iesous = Jesus
• CH = Christos = Christ
• TH = Theou = God’s
• Y = Yios = Son
• S = Soter = Savior 

Often, motifs display two fish, echoing Jesus’s feeding of the 5,000, when two fish were multiplied to feed a crowd as told in Luke 9:16. The two fish here were identified by the archaeologist as a sea bass and a tuna.