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Eros and Psyche Audiodescription.

• Complex map >
• Upper Floor: Lounges >
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• Eros and Psyche

This mosaic, dating from the end of the 3rd century AD, depicts Eros —symbol of passion— and Psyche embraced. The busts of the figures of the seasons appear in the corners. In this mosaic, the two central figures Eros and Psyche are edged by a circular braided border on a brown background. The four seasons are featured in the corners of the mosaic, framed in a similar way.
In the emblem of the mosaic, Eros is depicted covered by a cloak and Psyche is wearing a dress. The composition itself is bordered by a braided garland within a thick band with two black lines on either side. This is in turn contained within a set of pelta shapes; concave structures in the shape of a crescent.
The wind is fluttering through both garments. Black and white tones predominate in these tesserae, although it does also feature some yellow, green and pink tones. Blue and green tones of vitreous paste were used to represent the four seasons. The figures located in the upper-right corner symbolise the winter and the autumn; unfortunately, the lower figures are only partially preserved.

The theme of the mosaic is taken from "The Golden Ass (Asinus aureus)", one of the most important works written by Apuleius, the most important writer of the 2nd century. According to legend, Aphrodite —goddess of love— was envious and jealous of the beauty of a mortal woman called Psyche. Aphrodite asked her son Eros to shoot Psyche with his golden arrows in her sleep, so that we she awoke, she would fall in love with a vile creature. But instead, Eros fell in love with Psyche and was unable to fulfil his mother's orders.
This work, with its superb quality and richness to us the splendour boasted by the city of Córdoa in the Early Roman Empire.