Humanities › History & Culture Scenes from Tree of Paradise - Jewish Roman Mosaics from Tunisia Share Flipboard Email Print History & Culture Ancient History and Culture Rome Figures & Events Ancient Languages Greece Egypt Asia Mythology & Religion American History African American History African History Asian History European History Genealogy Inventions Latin American History Medieval & Renaissance History Military History The 20th Century Women's History View More By N.S. Gill Ancient History and Latin Expert M.A., Linguistics, University of Minnesota B.A., Latin, University of Minnesota N.S. Gill is a Latinist, writer, and teacher of ancient history and Latin. She has been featured by NPR and National Geographic for her ancient history expertise. our editorial process N.S. Gill Updated January 16, 2018 01 of 10 Roman Mosaic - Mosaic of Male Figure in Medallion Male Figure | Hyena | Square Basket with Fruit | Menorah | Lion | Gazelle | Duck | Fish | Rooster | Round Basket with Bread. 05.28 Mosaic of Male Figure in Medallion, by an unknown Roman Artist found in Tunis, Tunisia, from the 1st century-2nd century A.D.21 1/8 x 21 1/8in. (53.7 x 53.7cm).From the Museum Collection Fund, Brooklyn Museum.According to the Brooklyn Museum, despite graven image injunctions, human figures have been found on ancient synagogue floors, so the sanctuary floor of the synagogue as the original location of this mosaic of a male figure cannot be ruled out. 02 of 10 Roman Mosaic - Mosaic of a Hyena Male Figure | Hyena | Square Basket with Fruit | Menorah | Lion | Gazelle | Duck | Fish | Rooster | Round Basket with Bread. 05.33 Mosaic of a Hyena, by an unknown Roman Artist found in Tunis, Tunisia, from the 1st century-2nd century A.D.? or 19th C imitation.18 1/4 x 18 1/4in. (46.3 x 46.3cm).From the Museum Collection Fund, Brooklyn Museum. 03 of 10 Roman Mosaic - Mosaic of Square Basket with Fruit Male Figure | Hyena | Square Basket with Fruit | Menorah | Lion | Gazelle | Duck | Fish | Rooster | Round Basket with Bread. 05.24 Mosaic of Square Basket with Fruit, by an unknown Roman Artist found in Tunis, Tunisia, from the 3rd century-5th century A.D.Mosaic27 3/4 x 23 13/16in. (70.5 x 60.5cm).From the Museum Collection Fund, Brooklyn Museum.Two baskets are enclosed in a vine, which symbolized divine order, according to the Brooklyn Museum. The square basket holds fruit and the round basket holds bread. 04 of 10 Roman Mosaic - Mosaic of Menorah Male Figure | Hyena | Square Basket with Fruit | Menorah | Lion | Gazelle | Duck | Fish | Rooster | Round Basket with Bread. 05.27 Mosaic of Menorah, by an unknown Roman Artist found in Tunis, Tunisia, from the 3rd century-5th century A.D.Mosaic 22 7/16 x 35 1/4in. (57 x 89.5cm).From the Museum Collection Fund, Brooklyn Museum.Menorahs are seven-branched oil lamps. The Brooklyn Museum says the shape of the menorah resembles the one shown as plunder on the Arch of Titus, meaning it is a Second Temple period menorah. What the seven lights represent has been variously interpreted to refer to the days of the week, the planets, or the presence of God. 05 of 10 Roman Mosaic - Mosaic of a Lion in a Roundel Male Figure | Hyena | Square Basket with Fruit | Menorah | Lion | Gazelle | Duck | Fish | Rooster | Round Basket with Bread. 05.32 Mosaic of a Lion in a Roundel, by an unknown Roman Artist found in Tunis, Tunisia, from the 1st century-2nd century A.D.Mosaic21 5/16 x 21 5/16in. (54.1 x 54.1cm).From the Museum Collection Fund, Brooklyn Museum. 06 of 10 Roman Mosaic - Mosaic of a Gazelle in a Vine Male Figure | Hyena | Square Basket with Fruit | Menorah | Lion | Gazelle | Duck | Fish | Rooster | Round Basket with Bread. 05.31 Mosaic of a Gazelle in a Vine, by an unknown Roman Artist found in Tunis, Tunisia, from the 1st century-2nd century A.D.Mosaic27 15/16 x 27 15/16in. (71 x 71cm).From the Museum Collection Fund, Brooklyn Museum. 07 of 10 Roman Mosaic - Mosaic of Duck Facing Right Male Figure | Hyena | Square Basket with Fruit | Menorah | Lion | Gazelle | Duck | Fish | Rooster | Round Basket with Bread. 05.19 Mosaic of Duck Facing Right, by an unknown Roman Artist found in Tunis, Tunisia, from the 3rd century-5th century A.D.Mosaic21 3/4 x 33 3/8in. (55.3 x 84.7cm).From the Museum Collection Fund, Brooklyn Museum.The duck appears to be used to symbolize rebirth and creation. 08 of 10 Roman Mosaic - Mosaic of Fish Facing Right Male Figure | Hyena | Square Basket with Fruit | Menorah | Lion | Gazelle | Duck | Fish | Rooster | Round Basket with Bread. 05.16 Mosaic of Fish Facing Right, by an unknown Roman Artist found in Tunis, Tunisia, from the 3rd century-5th century A.D.Mosaic18 11/16 x 31 3/4in. (47.5 x 80.6cm).From the Museum Collection Fund, Brooklyn Museum.The fish is a fertility symbol and was also used not only by Christians, but by Jews to refer to the faithful. 09 of 10 Roman Mosaic - Mosaic of Rooster Male Figure | Hyena | Square Basket with Fruit | Menorah | Lion | Gazelle | Duck | Fish | Rooster | Round Basket with Bread. 05.23 Mosaic of Rooster, by an unknown Roman Artist found in Tunis, Tunisia, from the 3rd century-5th century A.D.Mosaic22 x 29 1/2in. (55.9 x 75cm).From the Museum Collection Fund, Brooklyn Museum. 10 of 10 Roman Mosaic - Mosaic of Round Basket with Bread Male Figure | Hyena | Square Basket with Fruit | Menorah | Lion | Gazelle | Duck | Fish | Rooster | Round Basket with Bread. 05.25 Mosaic of Round Basket with Bread, by an unknown Roman Artist found in Tunis, Tunisia, from the 3rd century-5th century A.D.Mosaic27 9/16 x 23 1/4in. (70 x 59cm).From the Museum Collection Fund, Brooklyn Museum.The round basket of bread is not part of pagan symbolism, but is described in Exodus 29 and Leviticus 8 as among the objects needed for the consecration of a priest. Similar baskets of bread appear in Christian churches in Roman North Africa. The Brooklyn Museum suggests the basket of bread may symbolize hope for the resurrection of the Temple in Jerusalem.