in the city of Rastan in the center of the country, the Syrian authorities revealed a rare mosaic panel dating back to the fourth century AD, embodying a scene from a war square.

Hammam Saad, director of excavations and archaeological studies at the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums, told AFP that the 1,600-year-old painting “is not the oldest among Syrian paintings, but it is the most complete and rare,” adding, “We do not have a similar painting.”

He explained that “the part discovered so far is twenty meters long and six meters wide,” pointing out that there are other parts of the painting that have not been revealed yet.

The painting shows soldiers carrying weapons and armor, and they are in a fighting position as if they were on a battlefield. It also includes writings in Greek.

Saad explained that “the painting is a rare scene, in which the details of the mosaic pieces and the names of the Greek kings who participated in the Trojan War appear clearly.”

This is the ninth painting that was discovered in the city of Rastan, located in the northern countryside of Homs.

The mosaics adorn many Syrian archaeological sites, such as the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, the Maarat al-Numan Museum in Idlib (northwest), and various floors and murals in the ancient city of Palmyra (center).

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