
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
Roman Domestic Religion

HC031
VI. 11 and 13 (House of the Black Hall)
Cult Space Type:
Cult room




Date:
79 A.D.
Features:
Aedicula, Niche
Associated
Cult Spaces:
HC030
Room Function:
Cult room
Description:
Located on the end of the central axis of the house was a small openair cult room. Against the western wall stood an aedicula shrine. This was constructed from brick and comprised a rectangular base on which sat a simple temple structure. An apsidal niche was placed in the centre of the structure with plain columns on either side. A simple pediment sat on top outlined with bricks. Photographs indicate that the shrine was originally coated in stucco and it is likely that the shrine would have been heavily decorated with stucco moulding. Limited details regarding the appearance of the rest of the room are available.
References:
Maiuri 1958, pp. 239-242; Wallace Hadrill 1994, pp. 205-206.
Image reference:
Herculaneum in Pictures 2006