Roman Mosaics KS2

Roman mosaics are one of the most recognisable forms of Roman art. These colourful patterns and pictures decorated the floors and walls of Roman villas, bathhouses and public buildings across the Roman Empire, including Roman Britain.

Today, Roman mosaics help us learn about life in Roman times. They show scenes from mythology, gladiator battles, animals, gods and everyday Roman life. Roman mosaics are also a fantastic way for KS2 children to explore colour, pattern, shape and historical art techniques.

What is a Roman mosaic?

A Roman mosaic is a picture or pattern made using lots of small pieces of material called tesserae. These tiny pieces were usually made from stone, clay, marble, tile or glass.

The tesserae were carefully arranged into detailed designs and fixed into mortar to create long-lasting artwork. Some Roman mosaics showed geometric patterns, while others told stories or showed scenes from Roman mythology and everyday life.

What were Roman mosaics used for?

Roman mosaics were mainly used to decorate floors, walls, ceilings, bathhouses, villas and public buildings. Many were designed to impress visitors and show the wealth, taste and status of the person who owned the building.

Some Roman mosaics showed:

• Roman gods and goddesses
• Gladiator battles
• Animals and nature
• Mythological stories
• Hunting scenes
• Geometric patterns

How were Roman mosaics made?

Roman mosaics were made by carefully placing tesserae into wet mortar. Skilled mosaic artists planned the design first before arranging thousands of tiny pieces to create detailed pictures and patterns.

1. The surface was prepared.
2. The design was planned or sketched out.
3. The tesserae were cut into small pieces.
4. The pieces were arranged into the design.
5. The mosaic was fixed into mortar.
6. The finished surface was smoothed and polished.

Some Roman mosaics were extremely detailed and could take months, or even years, to complete.

Roman mosaics in Britain

Many Roman mosaics have been discovered in Britain, especially in the remains of Roman villas. These mosaics belonged to wealthy Roman families and show how Roman culture influenced life in Britain nearly 2,000 years ago.

Famous Roman mosaic sites in Britain include:

• Fishbourne Roman Palace
• Chedworth Roman Villa
• Bignor Roman Villa
• Lullingstone Roman Villa

These discoveries help archaeologists and historians understand more about Roman homes, beliefs, art, wealth and daily life.

What can Roman mosaics teach us?

Roman mosaics are useful historical sources because they provide clues about Roman culture. By studying mosaics, historians can learn about Roman religion, fashion, food, entertainment, animals, myths and legends.

For KS2 children, Roman mosaics are a great way to explore how art can tell us about the past. Children can look closely at the colours, patterns and images used, then think about what these choices might reveal about Roman life.

Roman mosaic patterns

Many Roman mosaics used repeating geometric patterns. These often included squares, triangles, circles, borders, knots and wave designs. Some mosaics were symmetrical, while others used repeated shapes to create decorative borders around a central image.

This makes Roman mosaics a useful link between history, art and maths. Children can investigate symmetry, tessellation, pattern and shape before designing their own Roman-inspired mosaic.

Roman mosaics KS2 art ideas

Roman mosaics work brilliantly as a KS2 art activity because children can experiment with colour, shape, texture and pattern while learning about Roman history.

Popular Roman mosaic activities for KS2 include:

• Creating paper tesserae mosaics
• Designing Roman mosaic borders
• Making digital pixel mosaics
• Creating mosaic coasters or tiles
• Designing mosaics inspired by Roman gods or myths
• Making a collaborative class Roman mosaic display

How to make a Roman mosaic in KS2

To make a simple Roman mosaic with children, start by choosing a clear design. This could be a Roman pattern, animal, shield, god, goddess or mythological creature.

1. Draw a simple outline design on paper or card.
2. Choose a small range of colours.
3. Cut small squares of coloured paper to use as tesserae.
4. Arrange the pieces carefully inside the outline.
5. Leave small gaps between each piece to create the mosaic effect.
6. Glue the tesserae in place.
7. Add a border using a repeating Roman-style pattern.

Children can then evaluate their finished artwork by comparing it with real Roman mosaics.

 👉 Want a ready-to-teach Roman Mosaics KS2 scheme of work?

We have a fully-prepared lesson pack with six ready-to-teach lessons that give children the chance to explore mosaic techniques through both traditional and digital media, developing their understanding of how visual elements are used purposefully in art. 

Roman mosaics facts for KS2

• The small pieces used to make mosaics are called tesserae.
• Roman mosaics were often used to decorate floors.
• Some mosaics used glass, marble and even gold-coloured pieces.
• Wealthy Romans used mosaics to show off their status.
• Many Roman mosaics showed gods, animals, myths or geometric patterns.
• Roman mosaics have been found across Britain.
• Some Roman mosaics are nearly 2,000 years old.

Teaching Roman mosaics in KS2

Roman mosaics are a popular part of KS2 Romans topics because they combine historical enquiry with creative art and design skills. Children can investigate real Roman mosaics, discuss what they show, then create their own artwork inspired by Roman techniques.

A Roman mosaics lesson or mini-topic could include:

• Exploring examples of Roman mosaics
• Learning what tesserae are
• Investigating Roman Britain
• Identifying repeated patterns and borders
• Designing a Roman-style mosaic
• Creating a finished mosaic artwork
• Evaluating the final design

Roman mosaics and the KS2 curriculum

Roman mosaics can support learning across several areas of the KS2 curriculum. In history, they help children explore the Roman Empire and its impact on Britain. In art, they allow children to develop techniques using colour, pattern, shape and texture. They can also support maths learning through work on symmetry, tessellation and geometric patterns.

Explore more Romans KS2 resources

If you are teaching a wider Romans topic, you may also find these pages useful:

• Roman Myths KS2
• Roman Shields KS2
• Roman Gods KS2
• Boudicca KS2
• Romans KS2 lesson planning and resources

FAQs about Roman Mosaics KS2

What are Roman mosaics?

Roman mosaics are pictures or patterns made from small pieces of stone, tile, glass or marble called tesserae. They were often used to decorate floors and walls in Roman buildings.

Why did the Romans make mosaics?

The Romans made mosaics to decorate homes, villas, bathhouses and public buildings. Wealthy Romans also used mosaics to show their status and impress visitors.

What were Roman mosaics made from?

Roman mosaics were made from tesserae. These small pieces could be made from stone, pottery, tile, marble or glass.

Where have Roman mosaics been found?

Roman mosaics have been found across the Roman Empire, including many sites in Britain. Famous examples have been discovered at places such as Fishbourne Roman Palace, Chedworth Roman Villa and Bignor Roman Villa.

Why are Roman mosaics useful for teaching KS2 history?

Roman mosaics are useful for KS2 history because they help children understand Roman art, culture, beliefs and daily life. They also give children the chance to use real historical evidence to make observations about the past.

How can children make Roman mosaics in class?

Children can make Roman mosaics by cutting small squares of coloured paper or card and arranging them into a pattern or picture. They can create Roman-style borders, animals, gods, shields or geometric designs.

What subjects do Roman mosaics link to?

Roman mosaics link well to KS2 history, art and maths. They can be used to teach Roman Britain, pattern, symmetry, tessellation, colour and design.