Roman Domestic Religion
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
PP279
House of the Faun (VI. xii. 2)
Cult Space Type:
Shrine
Date:
79 A.D.
Associated
Cult Spaces:
PP280
Structural type:
Aedicula, Niche, Stucco Relief
Room function:
Peristyle/Portico
Description:
Located on the north wall of the second peristyle was a shrine. This comprised two rectangular niches, which sat 1.75m above the ground. Each niche had an aedicula façade done in stucco in the first style, consisting of two pilasters and a pediment above. Around the pediments ran a dentate stucco frieze. The floor of the niches projected slightly from the wall, with the edge of this shelf painted in red and yellow imitation marble. During excavation, a statue was found within one of the niches, believed to be a Genius. Found on the ground in front of the niches during excavation were two bronze tripods, two bronze candelabra, terracotta lamps, iron tongs, and a laurel branch.
References:
Boyce 1937, pp. 51-52 (#189); Giacobello 2008, p. 273 (V49)
Image reference:
Ferebee 2015 (Via Pompeii in Pictures)