THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
Roman Domestic Religion
PP620
VII. vi. 38
Cult Space Type:
Cult Painting
Date:
79 A.D.
Features:
Wall Painting
Associated
Cult Spaces:
-
Room function:
Culina/Kitchen
Description:
Located on the wall of the kitchen was a cult painting. This was comprised of two registers. The upper depicted the Genius in the centre sacrificing at a cylindrical altar. He was shown carrying a cornucopia. On the other side of the altar was a tibicen. On either side of these central figures were two smaller figures, a camillus and one leading a pig. The Lares flanked the upper scene, pouring wine from their rhyta into their situlae. Above were three garlands with taeniae. Separating the registers was a thick red line, which joined into the border which framed the entire cult painting. The lower register featured a central cylindrical altar furnished with eggs at which two serpents met. The serpents were among green foliage. The original location of this cult painting is uncertain as it was removed from the property and is now on display in the Naples museum. (Note: Boyce records this cult painting as belonging to the Complex of Julia Felix (II. iv. 1-12), however other sources record its location as VII. vi. 38 and so its origin even within Pompeii in uncertain).
References:
Boyce 1937, p. 96 (#470); Fröhlich 1991, p. 292 (L98); Pompeii in Pictures 2010.
Image reference:
Pompeii in Pictures 2010