CHAP. 60. (25.)—PAVEMENTS. THE ASAROTOS ŒCOS.
Pavements are an invention of the Greeks, who also practised the art of painting them, till they were superseded by mosaics.[2812] In this last branch of art, the highest excellence has been attained by Sosus,[2813] who laid, at Pergamus, the mosaic pavement known as the “Asarotos œcos;”[2814] from the fact that he there represented, in small squares of different colours, the remnants of a banquet lying upon the pavement, and other things which are usually swept away with the broom, they having all the appearance of being left there by accident. There is a dove also, greatly admired, in the act of drinking, and throwing the shadow of its head upon the water; while other birds are to be seen sunning and pluming themselves, on the margin of a drinking-bowl.