Civita Giuliana's Cult Paintings to be returned

The Villa of Civita Giuliana was archaeologically investigated in 2023-2024, during which an elaborate cult room (or sacrarium) was found in the service area of the property (see here for more information). Interestingly, the room had no typical cult paintings - not because of a lack of them, but rather because they had been stolen. Cut from the walls, it was clear that the room had had all of its paintings removed by theieves.

However, a fragment of the room's paintings has now been found, after turning up in a private collection in the USA in 2023. The fragment depicts the story of Hercules, a scene of Hercules wrestling a snake as a child in the presence of Zeus (who was represented by an Eagle), with Amphitryon also watching on. The scene is present on white/cream backgrounds and bordered by red lines, further framed by stucco architraves.

Reconstructions of the room indicate that this image would have sat central to the room, located by the central statue or altar within the room. Damage to the room indicates that at least 12 other paintings were illegally removed, perhaps depicting the labours of Hercules.

As part of a legal battle, the Archaeological Park of Pompeii has now been awarded ownership of the fragment. It is hoped that further paintings can be uncovered and returned in the future.

The stolen scene depicting Hercules on the left, Zeus as an eagle in the centre, and Amphitryon on the right. Source: Pompeii - Parco Archeologico

Reconstruction of the Cult Room at Civita Giuliana. Source: Pompeii - Parco Archeologico

For more, see the announcement made on the Archaeological Park's Facebook page.