The Striding Lion Sector 10-Q, Daphne, Antioch, Syria (present-day Turkey), 5th c. Stone & lime mortar mosaic Baltimore Museum of Art display
“The Striding Lion is a curious title for this mosaic because the lion appears to be lunging forward on his hind legs rather than striding on all four legs. The title makes sense, however, when we discover that the panel is but a fragment of a much larger composition. In its original state, the lion would have occupied the center of a floor, 28 feet long by 14 feet wide, and would have been oriented horizontally (as seen in the photograph below). Another fragment of the same mosaic pavement may be seen on the wall to the left.
This type of mosaic is called a carpet-pattern mosaic because its grid-like trellis pattern resembles carpets woven in the Persian Empire. The original mosaic, divided into 86 sections, contained images of fruit, flowers, birds, fish, antelopes, and even pumpkins to suggest Antioch's great abundance of flora and fauna. On a deeper level, the imagery may refer to political and social changes occurring in Antioch during the 5th century. The prominence of the lion, a Persian metaphor for strength, implies the Persian culture was influencing a society that had always considered itself part of the Roman Empire. The peacock, a Christian symbol for resurrection, may allude to the increasing strength and power of the Christian Church.”