THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
Roman Domestic Religion
PP581
I. xiii. 16
Cult Space Type:
Cult Painting
Date:
79 A.D.
Features:
Wall Painting
Associated
Cult Spaces:
-
Room function:
Commercial space (Hospitality)
Description:
On the north wall of a commercial summer triclinium space was a cult painting. This cult painting depicted a nude Venus holding a mirror. She was depicted standing on a base. Beside her stood a small statue of Priapus on a high narrow plinth. A globe object stood on the right of Venus' feet. Barely visible behind the goddess were garlands of leaves. The cultic nature of this painting has been based on its somewhat jarring off-centre position in a larger wall panel and its thick red border separating it from the wider room decoration (no other figures are present in the room).
References:
PPM Vol II 1990, pp. 928-934.
Image reference:
Jashemski 1972 (Via Pompeii in Pictures)