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Pavements are an invention of the Greeks, who also practised the art of painting them, till they were superseded by mosaics.2812 In this last branch of art, the highest excellence has been attained by Sosus,2813 who laid, at Pergamus, the mosaic pavement known as the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.