The mosaic floor at Chedworth Roman Villa

A close up of two figures in a mosaic in the Dining Room at Chedworth Roman Villa, Gloucestershire — Mosaic in the Dining Room at Chedworth Roman Villa | © National Trust Images / Ian Shaw

Chedworth Roman Villa has some of the most impressive in-situ Roman mosaics in the country, and gives an insight into the history of Roman Britain. Created from thousands of tiny coloured stones, the intertwined patterns of the mosaic floors are exquisite; they depict a number of figures and stories, and reveal clues about the people who once lived here.

The grand dining room

Depicted in the tiles of the grand dining room (triclinium) are the God of Wine, Bacchus, and his lover, Ariadne, along with fluted bowls with jewelled rims overflowing with acanthus leaves.

This raises many questions about the historic owner of Chedworth Villa. Were they trying to show off their classical education and taste to their guests, and if so, was this intended to impress or intimidate them?

A close up of part of the western panel in the southern mosaic of the Dining Room at Chedworth Roman Villa Gloucestershire — Part of the southern mosaic of the Dining Room at Chedworth Roman Villa | © National Trust Images / Ian Shaw

The four seasons

Cupids representing each season are depicted in the four corners of the mosaic floor. Winter holds a leafless branch and a hare, and wears a thick hooded cloak in the local style, called a birrus britannicus. Spring holds a basket and a swallow, while Summer holds a basket and a garland of flowers. Unfortunately Autumn is in a damaged section of the mosaic so we don't know what they are holding.

Part of the floor mosaic at Chedworth Roman Villa, Gloucestershire — Floor mosaic at Chedworth Roman Villa | © National Trust Images / James Dobson

A showpiece

This mosaic was designed to be viewed by diners as they were eating and drinking at the other end of the room, displaying the owner’s wealth and a focal point for discussion. Only the most wealthy in Roman society could afford mosaics like this.

Close up of the mosaic in the Dining Room at Chedworth Roman Villa, showing the figure 'Winter' wearing a hooded cloak and holing a dead hare and a leafless branch, Gloucestershire — 'Winter' depicted in the mosaic in the Dining Room at Chedworth Roman Villa | © National Trust Images / Ian Shaw

Changing our understanding of Roman Britain

Most of the mosaics at Chedworth were created in the 4th century and show a range of patterns. Some, like the mosaic in the changing room of the west bath house, have birds and plants as well. It has generally been thought that after the Romans withdrew from Britain in 410AD, craft industries went into decline.

The recently discovered and carbon-dated mosaic at Chedworth has shed new light on this as it dates to the 5th century. Whilst this mosaic doesn't show the high level of skill of other mosaics at Chedworth, it does show that they were still being commissioned by wealthy individuals much later than previously thought. This discovery not only changes our understanding of Chedworth, but also the Romanised way of living in Britain as a whole.