Roman Domestic Religion
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
PP293
House of Laocoon (VI. xiv. 28-32)
Cult Space Type:
Shrine
Date:
79 A.D.
Associated
Cult Spaces:
PP631
Structural type:
Aediucla
Room function:
Viridarium/Garden
Description:
Against the east wall of the garden stood an aedicula shrine. Supported by a solid masonry base were two thin columns without capitals that supported a simple pediment. In the tympanum was a large painted aquatic red bird with its wings spread. Across its wings lay a black cord ending in a bow knot. On each side of the bird stood a green marine goat. The base of the aedicula was painted black with a painted garland. The back wall of the shrine was hollowed out like a niche in the form of a sea shell. Today, only the base and the interior shell structure remain.
References:
Boyce 1937, p. 53 (#203); Wallce Hadrill 1994, p. 213; Giacoebello 2008, pp. 274-275 (V53 and V54); Monteix et al. 2013
Image reference:
Warscher (Date Unknown) (Via Pompeii in Pictures)