Image Details

This drawing shows how the mosaic appeared when it was first uncovered by archaeologists. (The mosaic is no longer in situ; pieces of it are now housed in various collections.) Note how the zodiac figures have been removed, but the image of a Torah shrine flanked by two menorahs (shown at the top of the drawing) remains intact. Apparently, the iconoclasts cherished these symbols of the Jewish faith. For Steven Fine, this indicates that the iconoclasts were not outsiders, but Jews (compare with photo of zodiac wheel mosaic at Naaran).