THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
Roman Domestic Religion
PP078
Caupona and Domus of Euxinus (I. xi. 10/12)
Cult Space Type:
Shrine
Date:
79 A.D.
Features:
Aediucla, Niche
Associated
Cult Spaces:
PP074, PP075, PP076, PP077
Room function:
Viridarium/Garden
Description:
Located on the south wall of the garden was a pseudo-aedicula shrine. The central niche sat 1.0m above the floor, with tiles forming the top and floor. While the pediment was poorly preserved, it appeared to have been constructed from masonry. The interior of the niche was plastered with stucco however no evidence of painting remained at the time of Orr’s recording. A painted statuette of Venus was found in the niche. Two cavities were present in the wall on either side of the niche, in which heads of small herms were found embedded. Two were female heads, one crowned with grape leaves, the other with ivy leaves and blossoms. The third was the head of a satyr.
References:
Ruddell 1964, p. 79; Jashemski 1967; Orr 1972, p. 155 (#12); Jashemski 1979, pp. 120-121, 125; Giacobello 2008, p. 257 (V15)
Image reference:
Pompeii in Pictures 2006