Roman Domestic Religion
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
PP159
IX. xiv. 4
Cult Space Type:
Shrine
Date:
79 A.D.
Associated
Cult Spaces:
PP160
Structural type:
Aediucla, Niche
Room function:
Atrium
Description:
In the northwest corner of the atrium was a cult space in the form of an aedicula shrine. Sitting on a masonry podium, was a small temple structure built into the corner of the room. The base was 0.75m by 0.75m and 0.97m high. The temple structure was comprised of a doric column located at the free-standing corner, and two pilasters built against the wall, supporting a roof of two pediments. Remnants of stucco cornice is present on the pilasters. The interior walls were painted white with green and red stripes, while the two tympana were painted a solid red. Against the two walls ran a low step upon which three statuettes were found. These consisted of a marble herm and two terracotta male busts. In addition to these, a terracotta lamp, a coin of Caligula, a terracotta arula, and an iron container were also found within the cult space. In the centre of the south side of the base was an arched niche (measuring 0.43 h by 0.39 w by 0.25 d), which Boyce attributes to storage purposes. Within the niche, a terracotta lamp fitted with a ring was found.
References:
Not. Scavi 1911, pp. 331- 334; Boyce 1937, pp. 30-31 (#67); Giacobello 2008, p. 251 (A42)
Image reference:
Pompeii in Pictures 2007