THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
Roman Domestic Religion
PP411
VII. xii. 11
Cult Space Type:
Cult Painting
Date:
79 A.D.
Features:
Wall Painting
Associated
Cult Spaces:
PP410
Room function:
Commercial space (Industrial and Other)
Description:
On the west wall of the bakery room was a cult painting. This was carried out on a white background, with Vesta seated on a throne holding a cornucopia and patera in the centre with an altar beside her. Upon the altar were offerings of grain, with a donkey behind. On each side of Vesta stood the Lares, pouring wine from their rhyta into their situlae. The lower register of the painting featured two large serpents meeting at an even larger cylindrical altar of imitation red and yellow marble. Offerings of fruit were ablaze on top of the altar. In the background were plants and yellow flowers. At the sides of both registers were green trees. Garlands were painted across the top of the upper register. The entire scene was bordered by broad red stripes. The painting has been dated to the fourth style.
References:
Boyce 1937, p. 70 (#316); Fröhlich 1991, pp. 289-290
Image reference:
Pompeeii in Pictures 2004