Tunisian mosaics "Racehorse", 4th century

This remarkable piece, dating from the 4th century AD. BC and found in Sidi Abdallah, represents a racing horse named “Diomedes”. The name of the horse is inscribed in mosaic, a common practice to honor the champions of circus games. The animal is represented with harness and a palm leaf, a symbol of victory, illustrating the all-consuming passion of the Romans of Africa for chariot racing and high-level horse breeding.