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The last decade has been a precarious one in Syria.
With the reclaiming of certain territory by the Syrian state, new discoveries are at last emerging once again.
The building itself was donated to the Syrian government by Lebanese and Syrian businessmen associated with Lebanon’sNabu Museum.
Apart from sheer size, the subject matter of the mosaic is unique.
It features a very rare portrayal of Amazons, thefierce female warriorswho appear in Greek and Roman myths.
Hercules is famous for slaying their queen during his labors.
The Roman god Neptune also appears, surrounded by his 40 mistresses.
Beautifully rendered scenes of the Trojan War are also included.
This war was famously started over theabduction of Helen of Troy, the most beautiful woman in the world.
Mosaics served as a way to tell stories as well as to beautify a space.
The researchers do not yet know whether the floor belonged to a bathhouse or some other space.
Rastan may produce more ancient wonders, now that it is within control of the government once again.
The mosaic had been previously endangered by militant groups which attempted to sell it.
Archeologists discovered a Roman-era mosaic in Rastan, Syria.
It is a rare and beautiful example stretching 1,300 square feet.
