Roman Domestic Religion
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
PP557
IX, xiii, 1-3 (House of C. Julius Polybius)
Cult Space Type:
Cult Painting
Date:
79 A.D.
Associated
Cult Spaces:
PP559
Structural type:
Wall Painting
Room function:
Atrium
Description:
On the west wall of the service area atrium was a cult painting. The painting took up the entire wall of the corridor leading from the atrium to the kitchen. The scene, which was framed by a red border, was carried out in two registers and was crowned by a green wreath with taeniae. In the centre of the upper register was a cylindrical altar, painted in imitation marble, around which coiled a yellow and green snake. To the right of the altar was a female figure, perhaps the Juno. Beside her was the larger figure of the Genius holding a cornucopia. Both figures had a hand outstretched over the altar. Beside the Genius was a camillus holding a shallow dish and taeniae, and a small tibicen with double flute. Flanking the sacrificial scene were the Lares, painted much larger than the other figures, holding rhyton and situla. Wine could be seen being poured from the rhyton to the situla. At the top of the upper register was a garland as well as a tabula ansata. The lower register featured the body of the snake which was coiled around the altar in the upper register. The remainder of the lower register was decorated with flowering plants. On both sides of the painting were small holes for the hanging of real garlands. The painting dates to after 62 A.D.
References:
Fröhlich 1991, p. 298 (L109); Giacobello 2008, pp. 216-218 (#113)
Image reference: