Art and society in fourth-century Britain - Sarah Scott

This volume builds upon the copious and varied research on
villa mosaics in Roman Britain and evaluates it within the
context of elite social life in the 4th century AD. It argues
that the mosaics were an integral part of the rich lifestyle of
the elite in this period and played an important role in defining
their status. Yet these symbols of power were apparently no
longer valued to the same degree by the end of the 4th century.
In a priod of increasing social and economic instability, the
mosaics were one element in an elite lifestyle which was
ultimately to prove socially diversive. In this wide-ranging
study, Scott considers the significance and long-term impact of
the artistic choices made by villa owners.