THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
Roman Domestic Religion
HC048
III. 3 (House of the Skeleton)
Cult Space Type:
Shrine
Date:
79 A.D.
Features:
Mosaic; Niche; Nymphaeum
Associated
Cult Spaces:
HC001, HC002, HC003
Room Function:
Courtyard
Description:
Located in a courtyard on the eastern side of the house was a large nymphaeum. The structure sat into the southern wall and consisted of a large apsed niche. The nymphaeum was elaborately decorated with mosaic. The roof of the niche was decorated to represent a shell. The two side panels on the back wall of the niche were matching, featuring a central golden candelabra with garlands. At the top of these panels were small dolphins. The various sections of the decorations were separated by red stripes. Across the top of the wall that housed the nymphaeum further mosaic scenes depicting a shepherd with a sheep, garlands, Triton (featured twice) holding a trident, Bacchus holding his thyrsus and pouring wine from a jug into his panther's mouth, and a woman with a deer.
References:
Maiuri 1958, pp. 265-275; Herculaneum In Pictures 2005, 2011.
Image reference:
Heese 2014