THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
Roman Domestic Religion
PP640
House of Phaedra (IX. xii. B)
Cult Space Type:
Shrine
Date:
79 A.D.
Features:
Niche, Wall Painting
Associated
Cult Spaces:
-
Room function:
Courtyard
Description:
Located in the central courtyard (room 15) was a shrine. It sat within a central pillar like structure on the northern end space. The shrine measured 193cm tall and 80cm wide and was comprised of a niche with wall paintings. The central niche was rectangular in shape, with its bottom made from tile. The base of the niche extended out where it was coated in stucco and moulded on either end to form pulvini, similar to that of an altar. This altar base was white and decorated with red flowers (roses) with green leaves. The interior of the niche was fully painted red. The walls around the niche were white, with the niche opening, its base, and the wider painted scene outlined by red borders. Above the niche was a gold and white eagle holding a palm branch flying underneath a red and yellow garland with white taenie. The painted garland featured painted nails at its surviving corner, imitating a real life garland. Below the niche were two brown and yellow crested serpents (the right one missing the majority of its head). The serpents were facing each other with their heads over a gold cylindrical altar in the centre. The altar was furnished with offerings of a pinecone, an egg, a date, and a fig. Green foliage with small red and yellow flowers decorated the background, with three small birds sitting amongst the plants. Inside the niche, ritual objects and remnants of the last offerings were preserved. This included a miniture herm of Silenus, an incense burner, a lamp, bowls, an iron knife, several marble slabs, and a moulded marble base. Remnants of charred wood and figs were also found. It is unclear if the entirety of the property is excavated at this time, and so the wider context of the shrine is uncertain.
References:
E-Journal Scavi di Pompei (26) 2024
Image reference:
Pompeii - Parco Archeologico Facebook Page , October 24th 2024