Roman Domestic Religion
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
PP143
II. i. 8/9
Cult Space Type:
Shrine
Date:
79 A.D.
Associated
Cult Spaces:
-
Structural type:
Aediucla, Niche, Wall Painting, Stucco relief
Room function:
Viridarium/Garden
Description:
Located on the east wall of the front garden was a shrine, consisting of a niche with a pseudo-aedicula façade and wall paintings. The rectangular niche sat 1.12m above the floor, with its interior coated in stucco and painted in red and yellow imitation marble. The pediment was also stuccoed, with the opening of the niche flanked by two Corinthian pilasters. On the right of the niche was a red-bordered panel that enclosed a painting of Hercules. He was depicted with his club and patera wearing a lion skin. A yellow dado outlined by red lines below the niche contained a painting with a garden scene of green plant material with a serpent and altar executed in low stucco relief. The cylindrical altar had offerings of a pine cone and two eggs. A red and green garland was visible at the top of the dado.
References:
Orr 1972, pp. 169-170 (#55); Giacobello 2008, p. 261 (V23)
Image reference:
Cooper 2019