Roman Domestic Religion
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
PP069
Caupona and House of Lucius Betutius (I. viii. 8/9)
Cult Space Type:
Cult Painting
Date:
79 A.D.
Associated
Cult Spaces:
PP579
Structural type:
Aediucla, Wall Painting, Stucco Relief
Room function:
Commercial space (Hospitality)
Description:
Located on the south wall of the front commercial room was a cult painting. The scene was framed by a stucco aedicula, with a garland at the top. A wreath sat in the centre of the pediment. The scene was divided into two registers. The upper was painted on a white background and bordered by garlands. From left to right were painted representations of Mercury, holding a money pouch and caduceus, a Lar with a rhyton and situla, a Genius, another Lar, and Bacchus with his panther drinking wine from a cup. The Genius was depicted sacrificing over a tripod altar furnished with offerings of fruit and eggs. The lower panel was painted on a dark red background and depicted two serpents with a cylindrical altar with offerings of eggs in between, with green. Three small holes (perhaps for actual garlands to be hung) were present above the painted garlands in the top panel.
References:
Ruddell 1964, p. 76; Orr 1972, pp. 152-153 (#3)
Image reference:
Cooper 2019