Tiny Pompeian house boasts lavish wall art

In a central location along the Via dell’Abbondanza of Pompeii, archaeologists have uncovered an unusual building. Despite its small size, the house features elaborate frescoes and noteworthy features not seen in other properties of the ancient city. Provisionally named Casa di Fedra, the decorations of this ‘tiny house’ in the insula of Casa dei Casti Amanti rival those of the nearby Casa dei Pittori al Lavoro. In the first of two rooms investigated at the rear of the house, splendidly decorated walls present scenes taken from classical mythology in the Fourth Style. Among them are a painting of Hippolytus and Phaedra, a symplegma (‘coupling’) between a satyr and a nymph, a small painting showing a divine couple (possibly Venus and Adonis), and another possibly depicting the Judgement of Paris. The…

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Ancient History (Digital) - 1 Issue, AH 53

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