THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
Roman Domestic Religion
PP365
VII. iv. 20
Cult Space Type:
Cult Painting
Date:
79 A.D.
Features:
Wall Painting
Associated
Cult Spaces:
-
Room function:
Culina/Kitchen
Description:
On the north wall of the courtyard/kitchen space was a cult painting. The painting was carried out in three registers. The upper register featured, beneath garlands, Jupiter and Venus Pompeiana. Jupiter was depicted holding a sceptre and extending his hand over an altar with offerings of fruit. Venus was depicted also holding a sceptre while resting on a rudder, and holding an olive branch in her other hand. On a cylindrical base at her feet stood Amor holding a mirror. The middle register contained the sacrificial scene. It showed a brick structure, believed to have been an oven with a Genius beside holding a cornucopia and pouring a libation from a patera onto an altar. On the other side of the altar stood a tibicen and a small camillus with a pitcher and shallow dish. A bearded man could be seen behind these figures carrying a hog with a knife hanging at his side. Behind him stood two younger men, each of whom were carrying poles. The lower register contained the depiction of a single serpent, coiling towards an altar with offerings of two eggs. The background of this panel was decorated with plants. The painting is not preserved today.
References:
Boyce 1937, p. 65 (#271); PPM 1996 Vol VI, pp. 983-985; Giacobello 2008, p. 193 (#77)
Image reference:
Warscher (Date Unknown) (Via Pompeii in Pictures)