Daphne Damsel
The Roman resort of Daphne was near the ancient city of Antioch, now
Antakya, at the extreme eastern end of Turkey's Mediterranean
coast.
Wealthy Romans built sumptuous villas in the verdant valley overlooking
the waterfall, paving the floors with exquisite mosaics.
The Greek letters read Sotiria (Salvation),
for the goddess portrayed there.
The salvation of these mosaics came
when the mosaics were carefully removed from the
ruined
buildings
and reinstalled in
the Antakya Museum for all to see.
People who go to Antakya go
for the mosaics, to visit ruined Daphne, now
right on the city's outskirts, and also to
see a small cave-church where,
legend says, St.
Peter preached. The cave is thought
to have been the property of St Luke,
and he lent it to Sts
Peter and Paul when they
lived in this city for several years.
The crusaders restored
it, and services are still held in the cave—salvation of
a different sort. |
