A Gorgon

We were astonished and delighted by the many wondrous Roman mosaics that we saw in Tunisia. The quality and variety was truly breathtaking. This one, the size of an average British living room was in the museum at Sousse.

The subject of the mosaic is a Medusa. In Greek mythology Medusa was a monster, a Gorgon, generally described as having the face of a hideous human female with living venomous snakes in place of hair. For good measure this one also has wings growing out of her forehead. As you may know, should you gaze directly upon her she will turn you to stone.