THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
Roman Domestic Religion
PP109
House of the Sarno Lararium (I. xiv. 7)
Cult Space Type:
Shrine
Date:
79 A.D.
Features:
Niche
Associated
Cult Spaces:
PP108, PP110, PP565
Room function:
Viridarium/Garden
Description:
Located on the west wall of the garden was a rectangular niche, sitting 1.17m above the ground. The niche had a tile roof and base. On the back wall was a figure reclining on a kline, suggested by Orr to be the Genius. The figure was crowned and holding a branch and a patera. In front of the couch was a table with a cup and small fruit, with red flowers scattered. A lamp was located to the right of the couch. The scene was bordered by garlands with taeniae. In the upper corners of the niche were two iron nails, placed at either side of the painted garland, likely to allow for the hanging of real versions. The internal walls of the niche were decorated with flowers in red, yellow, and blue, and the central scene was surrounded by a red line. In addition, Giacobello noted that an altar was placed in front of the niche (however, Orr makes no mention of an altar and there is no evidence of this in recent photographs of the shrine).
References:
Orr 1972, pp.165-166 (#43); Giacobello 2008, p. 259 (V20)
Image reference:
Durand 2018 (Via Pompeii in Pictures)