Roman Domestic Religion
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
PP154
Complex of Julia Felix (II. iv. 1-12)
Cult Space Type:
Cult Room
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