I have a question about a Roman mosaic.
In one of the text books for this course, Claridge, Amanda's 'Rome', page 52, there is a section about 'FLOORS' out of 'Interior Decoration(p.51).'
I wonder what's the difference between 'Pictorial mosaics' and 'Polychrome mosaic' (in bold).

Question

I have a question about a Roman mosaic.
In one of the text books for this course, Claridge, Amanda's 'Rome', page 52, there is a section about 'FLOORS' out of 'Interior Decoration(p.51).' 
I wonder what's the difference between 'Pictorial mosaics' and 'Polychrome mosaic' (in bold).

anonymous · Answer

Pictorial mosaics are those that involve 'pictures' - of human figures, animals and plants or mythological beasts, typically. 'Polychrome' means multi-coloured, and would refer to those (more common) mosaics in which different couloured tesserae are arranged in decorative patterns with no pictorial imagery.