Roman Domestic Religion
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
PP311
VI. xv. 23
Cult Space Type:
Shrine
Date:
79 A.D.
Associated
Cult Spaces:
-
Structural type:
Aediucla, Niche, Wall Painting
Room function:
Culina/Kitchen
Description:
Located on the west wall of the kitchen was a shrine, consisting of a semi-circular niche with an aedicula façade. It sat 1.24m above the floor on a projecting shelf held by brackets. The whole structure was painted red except for a star on a white background in the centre of the tympanum. The curved back wall of the niche was painted blue and possessed a cult scene depicting a Lar on each side with rhyton and situla. In between the Lares was the Genius holding a cornucopia and pouring a libation from a golden patera onto a yellow cylindrical altar. This back panel was framed by a dark border. On each side of the aedicula were painted garlands and a flying bird. On the wall beneath the shrine and extending onto the northern wall were two large yellow serpents meeting at an altar of imitation marble. The altar held offerings of two eggs and fruit. Against the wall below and also extending to the northern wall was a low masonry seat. It was painted red and decorated with foliage.
References:
Not. Scavi 1897, pp. 14, 39, 105; Boyce 1937, p. 56 (#219); Giacobello 2008, pp. 183-184 (#67)
Image reference:
Anonymous 1931 (Via Pompeii in Pictures)