67 Anica Gorgievska Institute and Museum – Bitola ... - ICOM-SEE

As a city with multiple century tradition, it has the necessary objects that mark that feature –
Thermae, Portico of the Court Room that has very sophisticated look with the verses by Hesoid
(performed in his book “Works and Days”, dedicated to the Zeus and Justicia) as well as the
impressive theater. These are all indicators that the life had very high cultural dimension
throughout the centuries (picture 1).
The most famous period of Heraclea was during the establishment of Christianity as a state
religion when the city becomes the headquarters of the episcopacy. This is evident from the
mentioning of the bishops about their participation on the church Events.
The look of the city acquires Christian features with all typical buildings. This is evident from the
beautiful architectural buildings – the Small Basilisk, the Great Basilisk, the Episcopal Residence
with numerous mosaics and the Central City Fountain erected on the occasion of 35 years of rule
by the very energetic Emperor – Justinian.
The episcopes from Heraclea in the IV-VI century AC are mentioned not only in the community but also
on the Ecumenical Councils, even sometimes they are mentioned as deputies of the Episcope from
Salonika. This means that Heraclea, as Episcopal Center has important role for the overall religion.
The urban life in Heraclea diminishes at the end of VI century with the attacks by the Slavs and Avarians.
What is the most brilliant, most impressive, most mysterious and definitely most important in
Hearclea Lyncestis are the floor mosaics.
There is no doubt that the Heraclea mosaics are the product of early Christian times and they are
the mark of the Christian soul. Each and every period of civilization creates its unique art and the
mosaics are very good proof. Thanks to these mosaics we have an insight into the life of the early
Christianity where we see “holy arts”, sincere, untouched, captivating…
The circle of same motives repeats on these floors so these are classified into four groups where it
is possible to recognize four elements, the four areas of the Christianity universe 2 ;
1. The symmetric pictures represent the Holy Heaven – the most holy area in the Christianity
universe – the place of God.
2. The trees with fruits, birds, flowers, tranquil animals – are all part of the pictures of heaven/ the
second area of the Christianity universe.
3. Animals fight – those that chase them and those being chased mark the Earth – the third area,
and
4. The water landscape i.e. pictures with waters full of fish and other sea, river, real and imaginary
creatures is the fourth and final area of the cosmos.
All mosaics in Heraclea have unique beauty but the master piece of the early Christian art is the
mosaic on the floor of the Great Basilica Nartex.
The creator of the Heraclea mosaic used over 100m2 to create a “rhythmical composition” with a
tendency towards symphonic principal: ideal balance and beauty with great aesthetic value, strong
feelings of tranquility and elegance against the expressed dynamics and quivering (picture 2).
2
Tomasevic – Cvetkovic “Early Christian Floor Mosiacs in the Episcopal floor in Heraclea Lyncestis, Belgrade, 2002
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CONDITION OF THE CULTURAL
AND NATURAL HERITAGE IN THE BALKAN REGION