Dzalisi

Dzalisi is a historic village in Georgia, located in the Mukhrani valley, 50 km northwest of Tbilisi, and 20 km northwest of Mtskheta [1]. It is the Zalissa of Ptolemy (AD 90–168) who mentions it as one of principal towns of Iberia, an ancient Georgian kingdom [1]. Archaeological digs have revealed the remains of four palaces and hypocaust baths, acropolis, swimming pool, administrative part, barracks for soldiers, water supply system and burial grounds [1]. One of the villas is notable for its floor mosaics, which, together with the mosaics of Pityus, are, by far, the oldest ones found in the Caucasus [1]. The style of the mosaic dates to around AD 300 [1]. Its central part depicts Ariadne and Dionysus in a banquet scene [1].