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New Discovery in Pompeii: A House Featuring Exquisite Frescoes

Recent excavations in the historic site of Pompeii have unveiled a compact residence adorned with captivating frescoes. Although the structure is relatively small, its artistic decorations, which include bold erotic imagery, rival the grandeur found in larger homes throughout the area.

The discovery, made in the city’s central district, marks an intriguing evolution in Roman architectural design. This modest dwelling notably lacks the atrium—a central, open-air space typical of wealthier homes in Pompeii, as detailed in a statement from the Pompeii Archaeological Park. Traditionally, the atrium served as both a practical and symbolic feature, collecting rainwater and providing a space for social and familial gatherings.

“The atrium was a signature aspect of affluent Roman life, utilized for entertaining clients and showcasing family treasures,” explains park director Gabriel Zuchtriegel in an interview with the London Times.

Over time, Roman architectural preferences shifted, as the need for atriums became less pronounced. Instead, wealthier families opted to display their status through more visible means, such as lavish clothing and jewelry.

“As we approached the second century C.E., there was a notable rise in social mobility, with many former slaves and merchants rising to prominence, while traditional elites began to lose their grip,” Zuchtriegel shares with the Times. “The absence of an atrium transformed from a financial limitation to a choice that reflected growing social trends visible in Pompeii.”

The newly unearthed residence, now dubbed the House of Phaedra, takes its name from a vividly painted scene depicting the tragic figures Hippolytus and Phaedra from Euripides’ ancient work Hippolytus. In this narrative, Phaedra, the wife of hero Theseus, finds herself consumed by an illicit love for her stepson, Hippolytus, portrayed in the fresco.

Additional frescoes in the house display various mythological themes, including the passionate union of a satyr and a nymph. Another scene is believed to illustrate the goddess Venus with her lover Adonis, and a damaged painting hints at the Judgment of Paris.

Within this space, archaeologists also uncovered a small altar containing various ritual items, including an incense burner still holding remnants of its last charge, along with a lamp, dried figs, and an iron knife.

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 C.E. was the catalyst for burying Pompeii, capturing the Roman town’s life in a moment frozen in time. Since its rediscovery in the late 1500s, continuous archaeological efforts have sought to unearth its secrets. Today, roughly a third of the site remains unexcavated.

This new find is part of the Insula dei Casti Amanti area, which opened to visitors this year. Last spring, a nearby building yielded children’s graffiti depicting gladiator battles, and just recently, excavations uncovered a striking blue-painted shrine. Other remarkable discoveries over the years include a fossilized tortoise, remnants of an ancient construction site, and even a painting resembling contemporary flatbread.

As Zuchtriegel states regarding the park’s mission, revealing Pompeii’s past to visitors while engaging in active excavation is essential for education and transparency. He emphasizes that allowing the public to witness the work of archaeologists and restorers enhances understanding of the critical task of preserving Pompeii’s historical remnants.

Source
www.smithsonianmag.com