Byzantine Empire, Mosaic Fragment with Man Leading a Giraffe, 5th Century.

The article focuses on a 5th-century Byzantine mosaic fragment depicting a man leading a giraffe, housed at the Art Institute Chicago and likely made in Tyre, Lebanon. It situates this artwork within the broader tradition of Roman and Byzantine mosaics, noting the frequent depiction of exotic animals in Near Eastern mosaics due to trade routes and the fascination with such species in the 4th century. The mosaic reflects typical Byzantine artistic conventions, such as altered proportions and symbolic rather than naturalistic representation. The article also contrasts this secular mosaic with later, more elaborate religious mosaics and discusses the historical and contemporary risks associated with handling exotic animals, emphasizing the evolution of occupational health and safety practices.