Imperial Cities, Middle Atlas & the East - Morocco - page 679

On the left just before the triumphal arch are a couple more roped-off mosaics. One, in
the House of the Acrobat OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP , depicts an athlete being presented with a
trophy for winning a desultory race, a competition in which the rider had to dismount and
jump back on his horse as it raced along.
From the arch, the ceremonial road, Decumanus Maximus , stretches up the slope to the
northeast. The houses lining it on either side contain the best mosaics on the site. The first
on the far side of the arch is known as the House of the Ephebus OFFLINE MAP

GOOGLE MAP

and contains a fine mosaic of Bacchus in a chariot drawn by panthers.
Next along, the House of the Columns OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP is so named because of
the columns around the interior court - note their differing styles, which include spirals.
Adjacent to this is the House of the Knight OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP with its incomplete
mosaic of Bacchus and Ariadne. The naked Ariadne has suffered somewhat from the at-
tentions of admirers.
The next three houses are named for their excellent mosaics: the House of the Labours of
Hercules OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP , the House of Dionysus and the Four Seasons OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP and the House of the Nymphs Bathing OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP . The first is al-
most a circular comic strip, recounting the Twelve Labours. Several of Hercules' heroic
feats were reputed to have occurred in Morocco, making him a popular figure at the time.
The best mosaics are saved until last. Cross the Decumanus Maximus and head for the
lone cypress tree, which marks the House of Venus OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP , home of King
Juba II. There are two particularly fine mosaics here, appropriately with semi-romantic
themes. The first is the Abduction of Hylas by the Nymphs , an erotic composition showing
Hercules' lover Hylas being lured away from his duty by two beautiful nymphs. The
second mosaic is Diana Bathing . The goddess was glimpsed in her bath by the hunter Ac-
teon, whom she turned into a stag as punishment. Acteon can be seen sprouting horns,
about to be chased by his own pack of hounds - the fate of mythical peeping toms every-
where. A third mosaic from this house, of Venus in the Waves , can be seen in the Kasbah
Museum in Tangier.

Sleeping & Eating

Oualila
( 0662 52 81 05; www.walila.com ; Oualili; 6 people Dh750; ) This historic old house is let as
a whole and has three bedrooms; new rooms and a restaurant are currently being built. It's

GUESTHOUSE €