THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
Roman Domestic Religion
PP639
IX. x. Unnumbered House
Cult Space Type:
Cult Room
Date:
79 A.D.
Features:
Aedicula, Ceiling Painting, Mosaic, Niche, Wall Painting
Associated
Cult Spaces:
-
Room function:
Cult room/Sacrarium
Description:
Situated off a large courtyard was a cult room. The cult room (room 32) possessed a small vestibule (room 31), separating the space from the courtyard. The room was rectangular in shape and was open on its northern extent. The lower portion of the walls consisted of a black painted plinth with gold detailing of animals including a deer and a swan. Separating the upper and lower painted registers was a white line. The upper portion of the walls was painted a bright blue colour with its panels outlined by red stripes. It featured paintings conducted in the fourth style and included candelabra, elaborate architectural structures, griffins, sphinxes, hippocamps, and garlands. Niches were present in the south, east, and west walls. The interior of these niches was painted red, each niche framed by different painted aedicula structures. Painted female figures flanked each niche opening, including the Seasons. The ceiling of the room was also painted, however, there is limited information regarding its contents as it is still being studied. The floor of the room was covered in black and white mosaics, featuring a central square panel outlined by a braided border. Numerous items were found within the room, including a large number of amphorae, oyster shells, lamps (one in the form of a shell), and several bronze items. The layout of the property is uncertain (it is uncertain if it is entirely excavated) and so the wider context of the cult room is uncertain.
References:
E-Journal Scavi di Pompei (15) 2024
Image reference:
E-Journal Scavi di Pompei (15) 2024, pp. 2, 3