Un tessellato bicromo con luctatores nelle acque di Baiae

After an archaeological overview of the area considered, this paper illustrates a bichrome mosaic floor in the apodyterium of the Bath situated immediately to the north of the “Villa con ingresso a protiro”, along the N-E shore of the Baianus lacus (Marine Protected Area-Underwater Park of Baiae). The floor mosaic, in black and white tesserae, is framed by a monochrome triple band delimitating a central field with an agonistic subject, covering an area of approx. 12 square meters. In it four male figures are represented, made of black tesserae on a white background: two are athletes, testing themselves in wrestling, while the other two are badly preserved. As one of them holds a branch, he could probably be identified with the judge/trainer. The study was conducted in the context of the archaeological surveys and conservation work carried out in June 2018 by ICR, in collaboration with the Parco Archeologico dei Campi Flegrei and was funded by the project BLUEMED - Plan/test/coordinate Underwater Museums, Diving Parks and Knowledge Awareness Centres in order to support sustainable and responsible tourism development and promote Blue growth in coastal areas and islands of the Mediterranean (n. 703).