Roman Domestic Religion
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
PP019
I. ii. 20/21
Cult Space Type:
Shrine
Date:
79 A.D.
Associated
Cult Spaces:
-
Structural type:
Niche, Wall Painting
Room function:
Viridarium/Garden
Description:
On the north wall of the garden was a shrine. It consisted of a niche and wall painting, in the centre of which was a globe, crescent moon, and star. On the left, Fortuna was depicted holding a cornucopia and rudder. Bacchus was present on the right holding a thyrsus and a kantharos, pouring wine into the mouth of a panther at his side. The top of the painting was decorated with garlands and taeniae. The bottom portion contained a large crested serpent that glided towards an altar with offerings of an egg and a pine cone. In the wall beside the serpent was the arched niche sitting 1.20 above the ground. Within this niche, several objects were found including a statuette of Diana and a terracotta bust of a woman. Based on photographs, the niche was plastered with the slightly protuding base.
References:
Fiorelli 1875, pp. 45-46; Viola 1879, pp. 12-13; Niccolini 1896, p. 77; Boyce 1937, p. 22 (#13); Ruddell 1964, pp. 71-72; Fröhlich 1991, pp. 250-251 (L3)
Image reference:
Warscher 1935 (Via Pompeii in Pictures)