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The central bema in the main church of Seleucia Pieria, the port city of ancient Antioch, was surrounded by a mosaic-inlaid ambulatory. Although only fragments of the late 5th c. composition were recovered, the design appears to have featured a continuous procession of animals, punctuated by tufts of vegetation. The range of represented species is remarkable; it includes even a large elephant. Unlikeearlier mosaics of staged hunts, the creatures are notably peaceful, and given their location, presumablyendowed with Christian meaning. It is possible that the assemblage was intended to represent paradiseas a time before sin and violence, but it seems more likely that it was primarily designed to evokewonder. Drawing upon Rafe Neis’s analysis of the functions of the menagerie, as well as uponcontemporary studies of surprise, this paper will argue for the liturgical utility of awe.