Uncovering Medusa: Ancient Mosaics Revealed.

Archaeologists excavating a Roman villa in Italy used by the Antonine dynasty have uncovered two mosaics depicting the Greek mythological figure Medusa. The mosaics likely date to the second century A.D. and were found in a circular room at the Villa of the Antonines. It is unclear why the room contained Medusa mosaics, but they were a popular decorative feature in the Roman world at the time. The villa is immense and even has what appears to have been an amphitheater used by Emperor Commodus for gladiator practice and the killing of wild beasts.