THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
Roman Domestic Religion
PP083
I. xii. 3
Cult Space Type:
Cult Painting
Date:
79 A.D.
Features:
Wall Painting
Associated
Cult Spaces:
-
Room function:
Culina/Kitchen
Description:
On the west wall of the kitchen was a cult painting. The painting sat 1.15m above the floor. The scene contained two registers. The top register depicted Lares on either side of a cylindrical altar painted in red and yellow imitation marble. Plants decorated the background. Each Lar poured wine from a rhyton into a situla. Above the Lares was a garland with taeniae. Three holes in the wall indicated that real garlands were also hung there. A red border separated the top register from the bottom. The lower register consisted of two confronting serpents, facing a cylindrical altar with foliage. An offering of a pine cone and egg sat on the altar. The front of the altar possessed a herm.
References:
Ruddell 1964, p. 79; Orr 1972, p. 156 (#17)
Image reference:
Durand 2018 (Via Pompeii in Pictures)