John of Gaza

[5] The ekphrasis, Tabula Mundi (Table of the World), contains 703 hexameters and an iambic prologue in epic language in the style of Nonnus of Panopolis.

[3][5] It survives only in the Paris fragment of the single manuscript of the Palatine Anthology, in which it is given the title Description of a Picture of the World Situated in the Winter Baths.

[3][5] It has recently been suggested that the Tabula is a cosmological reflection in the form of an ekphrasis and does not in fact describe an actual mural.

[6] The poem is notable for John's treatment of personifications,[5] as in this description of Gaia giving birth to the Karpoi:[8] But Gaia, showing her fertile nature, which makes the grain to grow, caused to shoot up from her womb her fruitful offspring; and leaning her back and spine on the ground, she raised her body on her couch with both hands, stretching her life-giving womb; she brought forth from her travail the twin Karpoi, a sweet offspring, having one male nurse, a long-winged angel, who, holding with his hands the knees of Gaia as she gave birth, and supporting from each side her opened thighs, spread them, and, with the midwife's craft, assisted her in the birth with the skill of his art, destroying the grievous pangs of hunger with countless stings.

[3][5] He also wrote on mythology and terms of address, and even composed Anacreontic epithalamia (bride songs) for local notables.