'Gnosticism' in Fourth-Century Britain: The Frampton Mosaics Reconsidered Author(s): Dominic Perring Reviewed work(s): Source: Britannia, Vol. 34 (2003), pp. 97-127 Published by: Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3558541 . Accessed: 28/11/2012 11:38 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp . JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact
[email protected]. Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Britannia. http://www.jstor.org This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.82.215 on Wed, 28 Nov 2012 11:38:52 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 'Gnosticism' in Fourth-CenturyBritain: the Frampton Mosaics Reconsidered By DOMINIC PERRING INTRODUCTION years have seen a renewed interest in the significance of the mosaic designs Recentemployed in Roman houses.1 Studies have concentrated on establishing the mythological sources of the images chosen, and on describing the social and architectural contexts within which such art was used.2 It has long been noted that some of the subjects preferred in fourth-century