Image Details

Photo by Hershel Shanks
Nearly identical mosaic depictions of the Phoenician-Punic goddess Tanit appear on the entrance floors of dwellings in Selinunte, Sicily (shown here), and Kerkouane, Tunisia (see photo of entrance floor from Kerkouane, Tunisia), 75 miles east of the major Punic city of Carthage. In both instances, the Tanit symbol is probably apotropaic—meant to protect residents from harm.