Roman Domestic Religion
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
PP553
IX, ix, 12/13
Cult Space Type:
Shrine
Date:
79 A.D.
Associated
Cult Spaces:
PP551, PP552
Structural type:
Niche, Wall Painting
Room function:
Viridarium/Garden
Description:
In the west wall of the garden, near the south west corner, was an arched niche. The niche sat 1.50m above the floor. Its walls were coated with white stucco and were bordered in red, the back wall adorned with a stucco cornice. On the wall to the right of the niche was a cult painting. It featured a tripod with a Genius standing to the right pouring a libation on it. He was depicted holding a cornucopia. The camillus and popa can be seen by the Genius. On the other side were two more figures, apparently woman but not well preserved. On the adjoining south wall was further paintings. This featured the Genius again, pouring a libation on a yellow cylindrical altar which was aflame and holding a cornucopia. It has been argued that this double Genius shows the worshp of the Genius of the Emperor alongside that of the paterfamilias.
References:
Not. Scavi 1891, pp. 254-258; Boyce 1937, p. 93 (#466)
Image reference: