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PP154

Complex of Julia Felix (II. iv. 1-12)

Cult Space Type:

Cult Room

NO mapavailable png shrine01-01-01.png
NO mapavailable png shrine01-01-01.png
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NO immage available png serpent-01.png
Date:

79 A.D.

Associated
Cult Spaces: 

-

Structural type:

Sacrarium

Room function:

Sacrarium/Cult Room

Description:

Located off the south side of the large porticoed garden was a cult room. It was destroyed during excavation, however, an eighteenth-century reproduction of the room remains. The wall paintings were of Isiac themes. The lower register depicted various plants on a white background. The middle depicted two confronting serpents meeting at a cylindrical altar furnished with an offering of a pine cone. The upper register depicted Isis in the centre holding a sistrum and patera with a crescent moon and lotus on her forehead. On her right stood Anubis carrying a palm branch. On the left was Serapis bearing a cornucopia. In the upper register on the western wall was a depiction of a Genius with a branch and patera containing fruit and eggs held towards a serpent. The eastern wall was not preserved as well and appeared to depict a female figure holding a globe (potentially Fortuna), as well as a male figure holding cornucopias in both hands. Within the room, several items were found, including a bronze tripod with brazier, an unrecognisable metal statuette, a gold earring, a silver crescent, a marble statue of a female, a bone statuette, two clay lamps, a jug, and other ceramic finds.

References:

Boyce 1937, p. 95 (#471); Bassani 2008, pp. 218-219

Image reference:

Pompeii in Pictures 2016

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