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PP469

IX. i. 7

Cult Space Type:

Shrine

NO mapavailable png shrine01-01-01.png
NO mapavailable png shrine01-01-01.png
NO immage available png serpent-01.png
NO immage available png serpent-01.png
Date:

79 A.D.

Features:

Aediucla, Niche, Stucco Relief

Associated
Cult Spaces: 

-

Room function:

Atrium

Description:

On the south wall of the atrium was a shrine. This consisted of an arched niche with a vaulted ceiling, sitting 1.60m above the ground. The vault of the niche was covered by a large stucco shell applique, which sat above a moulded stucco cornice which ran around the interior of the niche. The walls above this cornice were painted red, while the wall below was blue. In the lower blue section, human figures could be seen conducted in stucco relief however they were poorly preserved. Giacobello suggests that these are Venus and Eros riding hippocamps. On the wall around the niche was an aedicula stucco façade. This consisted of four engaged columns, two on each side. These supported a heavy projecting gabled roof instead of the typical pediment. The aedicula façade sat on a large projecting architrave which was constructed from moulded stucco. Below this, on the wall, was a square painted panel in red and yellow imitation marble bordered by thick red lines as if to give the appearance of a base for the aedicula above. Beside this aedicula was another arched niche, with a rectangular niche on the other side. It is unclear if these niches were also used for cult purposes.

References:

Boyce 1937, p. 79 (#381); Giacobello 2008, p.247 (A33)

Image reference:

Durand 2018 (Via Pompeii in Pictures)

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