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are depicted in various patterns (fig. XII-12a,b).
Some likeness is seen in the bird in the lower panel
in the House of Leontis and the birds flanking
the vase in the synagogue border panel (fig. XII-
12c,d). The Imahof monastery mosaic has similar
birds to the Leontis House birds (Ovadiah and
Ovadiah 1987: 32, pl. XXVI).
Fowls and birds are similar in execution and
style in the synagogue (flanking the inscriptions,
and in the broad outer frame), the House of
Leontis lower panel, the squares and rhombs
of Monastery hall A, outside the medallions of
room L, and in the round medallions of Chapel
G (figs. XII-12c-g).
The rooster in the synagogue (next to the
inscription) is similar to the roosters in chapel
room G (fig. XII-12h,i).
Miscellaneous
The amphorae of the synagogue and room L are
identical (fig. VI-18).
The baskets filling the squares and medallions
in Monastery Hall A mosaic and those in the
broad outer frame of the synagogue mosaic in
room L have many similarities (figs. VI-10,13).
A similar round band with chiaroscuro (dentiles
design) encircles the menorah on the synagogue
chapter twelve
Figure XII-9. Human figures on Beth She"an mosaics.
mosaic, the inscription in the central panel of
the House of Leontis, and the busts of the moon
and the sun in the Monastery Hall A mosaic (pls.
VIII.4a, XI.1b, XII.4b).
Style
The mosaic figures and objects are designed on
a white background, the figures are outlined by
a dark line, heads are in almost complete frontal
view, the body is depicted in a three-quarter
view to the right, and large eyes look to one side;
almost all figures are represented with curly hear.
The two hands of every figure are rendered close
together, holding an object. The tesserae of the
faces are smaller than those of the bodies. The
garments of the figures in the Monastery Hall A
and Room L are similar.
The animals are rendered in profile with their
heads forward or turning back, and anatomical
details are schematic (figs. XII-10,11). The
dark outline colour creates flat figures, and few
details are apparent. Sometimes a more naturalistic
approach was created by the mosaicist,
with movement and naturalistic features in several
animals, especially in the synagogue border
mosaic.