THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
Roman Domestic Religion
PP600
I. xxi. 4/5
Cult Space Type:
Shrine
Date:
79 A.D.
Features:
Aedicula; Niche; Stucco Relief; Wall Painting
Associated
Cult Spaces:
-
Room function:
Viridarium/Garden
Description:
On the north wall of the garden was an arched niche. Above the niche were the remnants of a stucco pediment with a stucco columns on either side of the niche opening, indicating that the shrine once possessed an aedicula facade. These stucco features were outlined by red lines, with red and green flowers/leaves painted between the stucco columns and the niche opening. Today, the niche can been seen with a tile projecting base which appears to have been stepped, however, photographs from 2005 indicate that this tile base was actually covered up, which raised the bottom of the niche and gave it a central square shaped divet in the centre, likley to hold a statue base or small altar (this infill is now no longer preserved). The interior of the niche was coated in white stucco and decorated. The interior edges were outlined with a red border, and the back wall and sides were decorated with the same red and green flowers/leaves seen on the wall around it.
References:
Pompeii In Pictures 2005, 2018.
Image reference:
Durand 2018 (Via Pompeii in Pictures)