THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
Roman Domestic Religion
PP258
House of the Tragic Poet (VI. viii. 5)
Cult Space Type:
Shrine
Date:
79 A.D.
Features:
Aediucla, Niche, Stucco relief
Associated
Cult Spaces:
-
Room function:
Peristyle/Portico
Description:
In the northwest corner of the peristyle was an aedicula shrine built against a column. It was comprised of a low base upon which stood the aedicula with a vaulted niche in the centre. On either side of the niche's opening were simple moulded columns with floral detailing on the capitals. These did not go up to the pediment, but rather to an arch that sat on the columns, with the simple pediment resting on this arch. The roof of the structure was a double gable. The tympanum was decorated with a stucco dentate cornice. The base and interior walls were painted yellow, with the vertical panels on the exterior, the narrow pilasters above, and the crescent on the back wall of the niche were all white with a red border. The tympanum and spandrels of the arch were painted blue. All other mouldings were left white.
References:
Boyce 1937, pp. 48-49 (#168); Giacobello 2008, pp. 270-271 (V46)
Image reference:
Eber 2021 (Via Pompeii in Pictures)