Roman Domestic Religion
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
PP193
V. ii. c
Cult Space Type:
Cult Painting
Date:
79 A.D.
Associated
Cult Spaces:
PP194
Structural type:
Wall Painting
Room function:
Atrium
Description:
On the west wall of the atrium was a cult painting, encompassed by a red border. The upper register depicted a Genius, holding a cornucopia and pouring a libation from a patera onto a cylindrical imitation red and yellow marble altar. On the other side was a tibicen playing the flute. Flanking the group were the Lares holding situlae and rhyta. Three garlands with taeniae hung across the top of the panel. Above the garlands were three divinities: on the left was the Helios holding a whip, central was Mercury with his caduceus, and the other figure on the right has since disappeared but was suggested to have been the Selene. In the lower zone, a serpent moved towards an altar. On the right of the serpent was Sarnus, sitting within plants on a rock, with water flowing from an overturned vase at his feet. On the other side of the serpent was another figure, however, it is no longer presevered and its identity is unknown. The background of both registers was decorated with plants with red flowers, and a single bird was present above the serpent.
References:
Boyce 1937, pp. 35-36 (#99)
Image reference:
Deutsches Archäologisches Institut (date unknown)