Pompeii. Household shrines to the domestic gods, IX.1.3 to IX.2.27.

 

These pages contain all the references to Lararia, Aedicula, Niches, Sacrarium/Sacellum, and Lararium paintings, found inside properties in Pompeii.

For some of these the actual purpose is unknown.

The individual locations identified on each item may contain further photos and details, you can see these by looking at the pompeiiinpictures pages in question.

 

Back to household shrines list

Regio IX.

IX.1.3 Pompeii.

Wall opposite oven with two small basins with rectangular niche above each of them.

 

IX.1.3/33 Pompeii. September 2017.

Looking north-west across rooms at rear of bakery towards wall with existing rectangular niche. Photo courtesy of Klaus Heese.

 

IX.1.3/33 Pompeii. Pre-1943.

Looking south-west from oven towards two small tubs, above both were niches. Photo by Tatiana Warscher.

See Warscher, T. Codex Topographicus Pompeianus, IX.1. (1943), Swedish Institute, Rome. (no.9), p. 22.

According to Boyce –

“Against the wall facing the oven stand two small masonry basins and in the wall above each is a rectangular niche called by Fiorelli “la nicchia dei Penati”; there remains today no indication of religious purpose.”

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14, (p.79).

See Pappalardo, U., 2001. La Descrizione di Pompei per Giuseppe Fiorelli (1875). Napoli: Massa Editore. (p.137).

 

IX.1.3/33 Pompeii. Pre-1943.

Looking west from oven towards one of the tubs with niche above, the one on south side of doorway, no longer there.

Photo by Tatiana Warscher.

See Warscher, T. Codex Topographicus Pompeianus, IX.1. (1943), Swedish Institute, Rome. (no.10), p. 22.

 

IX.1.3/33 Pompeii. December 2018.

Looking towards tub on north side of doorway, with niche above. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

 

IX.1.3/33 Pompeii. December 2018. Niche in west wall of rear room of bakery, opposite oven. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

 

IX.1.3/33 Pompeii. December 2018. Detail of niche in west wall. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

 

IX.1.4 Pompeii.

Stucco panel on east wall with painting of two serpents.

 

IX.1.4 Pompeii.  May 2010. East wall with doorway to rear room, and area of lararium panel on south end (on right).

According to Boyce, somewhere in this shop on an east wall was a panel of special stucco (h. about 0.80, w.1.80).

In this panel were painted two red serpents confronted at an altar.

A tile was embedded in the wall below their heads, to serve as a shelf for offerings.

There does not appear to be any signs today of either a tile or painting, but see Warscher, below.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.79, no.380).

According to Eschebach, the serpents were painted on the right pilaster of the shop room.

See Eschebach, L., 1993. Gebäudeverzeichnis und Stadtplan der antiken Stadt Pompeji. Köln: Böhlau. (p.398).

 

IX.1.4 Pompeii. Pre-1943.

According to Warscher, this is a photo of the east wall with panel (h. about 0.80 x w. 1.80) of special stucco with two painted red serpents.

See Warscher, T. Codex Topographicus Pompeianus, IX.1. (1943), Swedish Institute, Rome. (no.17), p. 32.

 

IX.1.4 Pompeii. Pre-1943. Detail of east wall and panel. Photo by Tatiana Warscher.

See Warscher, T. Codex Topographicus Pompeianus, IX.1. (1943), Swedish Institute, Rome. (no.18), p. 32.

 

IX.1.7 Pompeii.

Lararium on south wall of atrium.

 

IX.1.7 Pompeii. December 2018. Three niches/recesses on south wall of atrium. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

 

IX.1.7 Pompeii. Three recesses on south wall of atrium.

Old undated photograph courtesy of Society of Antiquaries: Fox Collection.

 

IX.1.7 Pompeii. December 2018.

Lararium on south wall of atrium. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

According to Boyce –

there was a heavy masonry ledge above a panel (1.25 square) painted to represent a block of red and yellow variegated marble, bordered in red.

It was supported by twin scrolls and ornamented with several bands of stucco relief.

On the masonry ledge were the bases of four delicate half-columns (h.0.82), two on each side of an arched niche (h.0.82, w.0.75, d.0.35, h. above floor 1.60).

A heavy gable roof used to project from the wall.

Within the niche a polychrome stucco cornice runs around the middle of the walls, dividing them into sections, the upper one painted red, the lower one painted blue.

On the blue background of the lower section are human figures in stucco relief – now poorly preserved.

The arched ceiling is fitted with a shell of stucco. Around the curve of the arch on the wall outside runs another stucco cornice.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.79, no.381, and Pl.6,1).

According to Giacobello, this was described as a pseudo-aedicula lararium; the stucco figures are of Aphrodite and Eros on a seahorse.

See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari in ambito domestico. Milano: LED Edizioni. (p.247, no.A33).

 

IX.1.7 Pompeii. December 2007. Detail of niche with stucco of a shell and figures.

According to Giacobello, the stucco figures are of Aphrodite and Eros on a seahorse.

See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari in ambito domestico. Milano: LED Edizioni. (p.247).

 

IX.1.7 Pompeii. December 2018. Detail of stucco figures in niche. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

 

IX.1.7 Pompeii. 1903. Watercolour by Luigi Bazzani.

South wall of atrium, with detail of two of the three recesses.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory Number 139418.

 

IX.1.12 Pompeii.

Lararium painting on south wall of kitchen, no trace remains.

 

IX.1.12 Pompeii. December 2007. South wall and south-east corner near doorway of kitchen. Masonry altar.

According to Boyce, the lararium painting was done on a white background.

When he wrote his book in 1937, he said that on the right and left, the legs of the figures of the Lares were preserved.

In the middle was the lower part of Venus Pompeiana wearing a yellow chiton and blue mantle.

In her left hand she held a sceptre, and her right rested on a rudder.

At her side was a cupid who seemed to be leaning forward to touch the garment of the goddess.

Below this, the two serpents confronted at a painted altar.

On the floor below the painting a masonry altar stands against the wall.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.79) 

See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari in ambito domestico. Milano: LED Edizioni. (p.204, no.96).

 

Remains of the altar and household shrine recorded by Helbig: Kitchen: Venus Pompeiana and Gods, 66? 

See Helbig, W., 1868. Wandgemälde der vom Vesuv verschütteten Städte Campaniens. Leipzig: Breitkopf und Härtel. (66).

See Pappalardo, U., 2001. La Descrizione di Pompei per Giuseppe Fiorelli (1875). Napoli: Massa Editore. (p.138)

See Fiorelli, G. (1875). Descrizione di Pompei, (p.370).

 

IX.1.12 Pompeii. December 2007. South wall of kitchen. 

Is this the remains of the two painted snakes recorded by Boyce and Helbig?

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.79) 

See Helbig, W., 1868. Wandgemälde der vom Vesuv verschütteten Städte Campaniens. Leipzig: Breitkopf und Härtel. (66).

 

IX.1.15/16 Pompeii.

Arched niche in east wall.

 

IX.1.15/16 Pompeii. September 2018. Looking across counter towards east wall with niche. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

 

IX.1.15 Pompeii. May 2003.

Looking east towards linked entrance at IX.1.16. Photo courtesy of Nicolas Monteix.

 

IX.1.15/16 Pompeii. December 2007. Arched niche on east wall.

According to Boyce –

In the east wall is an arched niche (h.032, w.0.35, d.0.12, h. above floor 1.35).

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.79, no. 384).

 

IX.1.15/16 Pompeii. December 2018. Detail of niche on east wall. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

 

IX.1.15/16 Pompeii. May 2013.

Arched niche on east wall showing detail of surviving decoration. Photo courtesy of Paula Lock.

 

IX.1.20 Pompeii.

Right ala converted into a special room for household shrine, and aedicula (h.2.80) built against east wall.

 

IX.1.20 Pompeii. September 2019. Looking east towards household shrine in east ala 6, (PPM “g”).

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR

 

IX.1.20 Pompeii. December 2007. Room 6, looking east towards household shrine in ala on east side.

According to the description from Boyce –

the base (1.25 by 0.80, h.1.45) was covered with stucco and painted in imitation of red and yellow marble.

Above the base, two sturdy Doric columns with bases (h.0.75) in front and two rectangular pilasters in the rear support architrave and pediment.

Around the top of the base ran a red stripe. In the centre of the front was embedded a white marble slab with the inscription, below.

The lararium painting was done on the white background of the room walls, on both sides of the aedicula.

On the right side, two male figures, each clad in a long white garment like the toga, stood beside an altar.

On the left of the aedicula three men lead a bull to sacrifice; one leading the animal by a rope, the other two held him.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.79-80).

See Helbig, W., 1868. Wandgemälde der vom Vesuv verschütteten Städte Campaniens. Leipzig: Breitkopf und Härtel. (59b).

See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari in ambito domestico. Milano: LED Edizioni, (p.247, no.A34).

 

IX.1.20 Pompeii. 1903. Room 6, looking towards household shrine in ala on east side.

Photo by Esther Boise Van Deman (c) American Academy in Rome. VD_Archive_Ph_219.

 

IX.1.22/29 Pompeii.

Aedicula lararium, south-east corner of atrium.

 

IX.1.22 Pompeii. September 2019.

Room 1, atrium with aedicula household shrine (h.2.55) in south-east corner.

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR

According to Boyce –

on the top of a high masonry podium (1.05 by 1.0, h.1.15) stood the elaborately decorated aedicula.

The podium was decorated along the upper edge with a double band of painted stucco relief.

There was one Doric column (h.0.71) of heavy proportions with base and two rectangular pilasters attached to the room walls.

These supported heavy entablature and cornice and a roof with two pediments.

The cornices which surrounded the pediments were decorated with quadruple bands of red and blue stucco relief.

The single column was also stucco coated and painted to imitate red and yellow marble.

The walls, inside and out, were painted with decorations in red, green and yellow upon the white background; ornate portals, garlands, birds, candelabra and arabesques.

Against the walls within the shrine was a low step, to serve as a pedestal for the figures of the gods.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.80, no. 386).

See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari in ambito domestico. Milano: LED Edizioni, (p.248, no.A35).

 

IX.1.22 Pompeii. November 2008.

Room 1, atrium with household shrine in south-east corner. Photo courtesy of Nicolas Monteix.

 

IX.1.22 Pompeii. Pre-1931.

Room 1, lararium in south-west corner, showing painted rectangular panel on east wall.

1931.2456. Photo © Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Abteilung Rom, Arkiv.

See Warscher, T. Codex Topographicus Pompeianus, IX.1. (1943), Swedish Institute, Rome. (no.117), p. 201.

 

IX.1.25 Pompeii.

Arched niche on east wall of shop-room.

 

IX.1.25 Pompeii. Pre-1943.

Entrance doorway on north side of Via dell’Abbondanza, looking towards east wall. Photo by Tatiana Warscher.

See Warscher, T. Codex Topographicus Pompeianus, IX.1. (1943), Swedish Institute, Rome. (no.142), p. 246.

According to Fiorelli, other than the usual steps it also had a niche for the Penates, and an access doorway to the neighbouring house (at IX.1.26).

See Fiorelli, G. (1875). Descrizione di Pompei, (p.376).

 

IX.1.25 Pompeii. December 2018. Looking towards east wall with niche. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

According to Boyce –

In the east wall is an arched niche (h.0.48, w.0.45, d.0.20, h. above floor 1,0), “la nicchia dei Penati”, according to Fiorelli.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.80, no.387).

See Pappalardo, U., 2001. La Descrizione di Pompei per Giuseppe Fiorelli (1875). Napoli: Massa Editore. (p.140)

 

IX.1.25 Pompeii. December 2018. Niche set into east wall. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

 

IX.1.25 Pompeii. December 2018.

Detail of niche set into east wall. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

 

IX.1.26 Pompeii.

Lararium painting in kitchen, but when excavated only the two serpents beside an altar remained. (No photo).

 

IX.1.26 Pompeii. December 2004. Looking north from entrance corridor across atrium.

On the left would have been a cubiculum and also the triclinium, where the graffito SODOM(A)  GOMORA  [CIL IV 4976] was found. 

See Cooley, A. and M.G.L., 2004. Pompeii: A Sourcebook. London: Routledge. (p.110).

See Varone, A., 2002. Erotica Pompeiana: Love Inscriptions on the Walls of Pompeii, Rome: L’Erma di Bretschneider. (p.141).

See Dobbins, J & Foss, P., 2008. The World of Pompeii. New York: Routledge. (p.195).

 

According to Fiorelli, the atrium was found at the end of the entrance corridor, but without an impluvium.

At the side was a cubiculum, followed by a triclinium decorated with various paintings of fish, birds and landscapes.

Opposite was another cubiculum which was next to a small garden area from where the next room took its light, containing the stairs to the upper rooms and adjacent to the kitchen, the lararium preserved only the figures of the two serpents approaching the prepared altar.

Found in the atrium was the graffiti - STRONIVS

                                                                     STRONNIVS

                                                                     NIL SCIT

See Fiorelli, G. (1875). Descrizione di Pompei, (p.376)

See Pappalardo, U., 2001. La Descrizione di Pompei per Giuseppe Fiorelli (1875). Napoli: Massa Editore. (p.140).

 

In the centre of the photo is the site of the kitchen and steps to upper floor.

According to Boyce, in the kitchen was a lararium painting, but when excavated only the two serpents beside an altar remained.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.80, no. 388).

See Sogliano, A., 1879. Le pitture murali campane scoverte negli anni 1867-79. Napoli, (p.18, no.52).

 

IX.1.27 Pompeii.

Altar with small niche in wall above it.

 

IX.1.27 Pompeii. March 2009. South-west corner at front of shop, with remains of hearth.

On the left of the entrance, were the hearth and an altar with a niche above it.

See BdI, 1867, (p.162).

 

According to Boyce, it was “a kind of altar with a small niche in the wall above it – presumably for the cult of the Lares”.

Apparently fixed to it there was a marble slab bearing the inscription -

PACVVIVS . ERASISTRATVS . EX . VIsv   [CIL X 930]

Boyce also noted that Fiorelli said nothing about the connection between the altar and the incised slab but noted that the slab had been re-used as materiale di costruzione.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.80, no.389).

See Pappalardo, U., 2001. La Descrizione di Pompei per Giuseppe Fiorelli (1875). Napoli: Massa Editore. (p.140)

 

Cooley translates the inscription to

Pacuvius Erasistratus, after a vision.    [CIL X 930]

See Cooley, A. and M.G.L., 2004. Pompeii: A Sourcebook. London: Routledge. (p.106, E58), where it is said to have come from IX.1.25.

 

According to Boyce above, the place of discovery of CIL X 930, was given as IX.1.25, but wrongly so; cf. Fiorelli and the Bull.Inst.

He gives the references - Fiorelli, Descr., 376; Bull. Inst., 1867, 162.

 

IX.2.5 Pompeii.

Square niche in north wall of garden area (west wall according to Boyce).

 

IX.2.5 Pompeii. December 2018. Garden area, looking towards north wall with niche, and east wall. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

 

IX.2.5 Pompeii. December 2018.

Detail of niche in north wall of garden area. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

According to Boyce,

In the garden area in the centre of the “west” (north) wall is a square niche (0.47 square, d.0.30, h. above floor 1.20).

It was called la nicchia de’ Penati, by Fiorelli.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p. 80, no. 390).

 

IX.2.5 Pompeii. March 2009. Niche lararium in north wall of garden.

 

IX.2.5 Pompeii.  December 2005. Niche lararium in north wall of garden.

 

IX.2.5 Pompeii. Pre-1943. North wall of garden with niche lararium. Photo by Tatiana Warscher.

See Warscher, T. Codex Topographicus Pompeianus, IX.2. (1943), Swedish Institute, Rome. (no.15.), p. 36.

 

IX.2.6 Pompeii.

West wall of rear room, fragment of panel with painting of single serpent.

 

IX.2.6 Pompeii. December 2007. Looking east towards the triclinium?

According to Boyce, in 1937, in a rear room, on the west wall, is a fragmentary panel of white stucco bordered in red.

On this stucco was painted a single red serpent coiling among plants.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p. 80, no. 391).

(Note: the west wall would appear to be at the rear of the brick wall on the right of this photo.)

 

IX.2.6 Pompeii. Pre-1943. Photo by Tatiana Warscher.

According to Warscher, quoting Fiorelli –

In a rear room (b), on the west wall, is a fragmentary panel of white stucco bordered in red, on which is painted a single red serpent coiling among plants.

See Warscher, T. Codex Topographicus Pompeianus, IX.2. (1943), Swedish Institute, Rome. (no.15a.), p. 39.

Boyce records:

Taberna. 1n a rear room, on the W. wall, is a fragmentary panel of white stucco bordered in red, on which is painted a single red serpent coiling among plants.

FIORELLI, Scavi, 55.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14, (p. 80, no. 391).

 

IX.2.7 Pompeii.

Rectangular niche in south wall of shop-room.

 

IX.2.7 Pompeii. October 2023. Looking east along south wall of shop-room. Photo courtesy of Klaus Heese.

 

IX.2.7 Pompeii. Pre-1943. South wall of shop, with niche. Photo by Tatiana Warscher.

See Warscher, T. Codex Topographicus Pompeianus, IX.2. (1943), Swedish Institute, Rome. (no.18.), p. 44.

 

IX.2.7 Pompeii. December 2018.  Niche in south wall of shop room. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

 

IX.2.7 Pompeii. December 2018.  Detail of niche in south wall of shop room. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

According to Boyce –

In the south wall is a rectangular niche (h.0.32, w.0.44, d.0.22, h. above floor 1.45).

The excavation report stated this was a lararium. He gave the reference Bull. Arch. Nap., N.S.1, 1853, 25.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p. 80, no. 392).

 

IX.2.11 and IX.2.12 Pompeii.

Arched niche in north wall of IX.2.11, and square niche in north wall at IX.2.12.

 

IX.2.11, on left, and IX.2.12, on right. December 2018. Looking east to entrance doorways. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

 

IX.2.11 Pompeii. December 2018.

Looking east along north wall, with two niches, and doorway to rear room. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

 

IX.2.11 Pompeii. December 2018.

Looking towards niche on west end of north wall. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

 

IX.2.11 Pompeii. December 2018. Detail of niche on north wall at west end. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

According to Boyce, this arched niche (h.0.45, w.0.38, d.0.25, h. above floor 1.30) was painted red on the inside and may have been a Lararium.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.80-81, no.393).

 

IX.2.11 Pompeii. December 2018.

Looking towards east end of north wall, with niche. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

 

IX.2.11 Pompeii. December 2018.

Detail of niche on east end of north wall. This niche is not mentioned by Boyce. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

 

IX.2.11 Pompeii, on left, and IX.2.12, in centre. October 2018. Looking north on east side of Via Stabiana, with Vicolo di Balbo, on right.

Foto Taylor Lauritsen, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

 

IX.2.12 Pompeii. December 2007. North wall of shop with remains of plaster.

According to PPP, the red plaster of the zoccolo was seen painted with plants in panels.

The upper zone of the wall was faded and discoloured but showed traces of subdivision into panels.

See Bragantini, de Vos, Badoni, 1986. Pitture e Pavimenti di Pompei, Parte 3. Rome: ICCD. (p.412).

 

IX.2.12 Pompeii. December 2018. Detail of niche in north wall. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

According to Boyce –

this square niche (0.50 square, d.0.24, h. above floor 1.25) was painted red on the inside, the same as the one found in IX.2.11.

He said that one or both of them may have been lararia.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.80-81, no.393).

 

IX.2.12 Pompeii. Pre-1943. Niche in north wall of shop-room. Photo by Tatiana Warscher.

According to Warscher –

“In the north wall of the room entered at No.11 is an arched niche (h.0.45 x w.0.38 x depth 0.25, height above the floor 1.30.)

In the north wall of the room entered at No.12 is a square niche (0.50 square, depth 0.24, height above the floor 1.25.)

Both are painted red on the inside: either or both of them may have been the lararia.

See Fiorelli, Scavi, 56, Descr. 381.”

See Warscher, T. Codex Topographicus Pompeianus, IX.2. (1943), Swedish Institute, Rome. (no.41.), p. 100.

 

IX.2.16 Pompeii.

Painting, north wall of triclinium “m”, but no longer visible in situ.

 

IX.2.16 Pompeii. December 2007.

Doorway to room on south side of corridor, described by Boyce as the triclinium, room “m” in PPM.

He said that on the north wall was a panel (1.30 by 1.34) of white stucco bordered in red and within it was the lararium painting in two zones.

The two Lares stood in the upper zone, both with rhyton and situla, and the Genius stood between them pouring a libation onto an altar.

On the other side of the altar was the tibicen. 

In the lower zone, one yellow serpent was advancing left towards a painted altar of yellow marble with one egg.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14.  (p.81, no.394).

According to Trendelenburg in BdI, “from the fauces, a side door gave access to a square room.

The original decoration was not conserved, other than some traces of figurines placed in the red and black divisions on the wall, and the painted lararium divided into two zones”.

See Trendelenburg in BdI, 1871, (p.201).

According to Fiorelli,

“Dal tablino, e dalla fauce che vi si trova accanto, nel cui estremo e situato il triclinio, si passa nel giardino, che ha un larario…….”

“From the tablinum, and from the corridor that one finds nearby, in whose extremity was situated the triclinium, one passes into the garden, that had a lararium with the painting of a Genius sacrificing being assisted by a tibicen.

There were also two Lares and a serpent advancing towards the table.

Following on was a storeroom (apotheca), a masonry staircase to the upper floor, the kitchen and the latrine, placed beneath the abovementioned stairs, and another room, occupied perhaps by a servant that guarded the door”.

See Pappalardo, U., 2001. La Descrizione di Pompei per Giuseppe Fiorelli (1875). Napoli: Massa Editore. (p.142-3).

See Fiorelli, G., 1875. Descrizione di Pompei, (p.384).

 

According to Giacobello, the picture was in an apotheca (o) on the north wall, but is no longer visible, only Boyce’s description remains.

See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari in ambito domestico. Milano: LED Edizioni. (p.204-5).

 

IX.2.16 Pompeii. December 2007. North wall of triclinium, the room on east side of staircase, and south of corridor.

Note the system for securing the plaster to the walls adopted in the first years of the 20th century under Spinazzola.

In this room, the zoccolo was colourless, the middle zones of the walls were red with traces of panels separated by compartments.

 

IX.2.16 Pompeii. Pre-1943. Lararium painting on north wall of triclinium at east end of wall. Photo by Tatiana Warscher.

See Warscher, T. Codex Topographicus Pompeianus, IX.2. (1943), Swedish Institute, Rome. (no.71.), p. 156.

 

North wall of storeroom (o)/cupboard.

 

IX.2.16 Pompeii. December 2007.

Looking south in small storeroom on south-east side of peristyle next to staircase, shown as room “o” in PPM.

On the right of the photo is the doorway leading into a corridor, at the far end of the corridor is the kitchen.

According to Schefold, the location of the lararium was in this room.  

See Schefold, K., 1957. Die Wände Pompejis. Berlin: De Gruyter. (p.241-243)

According to BdI, “from the corridor, a side door gave access to a square room, which has not conserved any of the original decoration other than traces of figures enclosed in red and black compartments and a lararium painting divided into two zones”.

See Bullettino dell’Instituto di Corrispondenza Archeologica (DAIR), 1871, (p. 201)

According to Giacobello –

The painting was seen on the north wall of a storeroom/cupboard (room “o”).

See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari in ambito domestico. Milano: LED Edizioni, (p.204, no.97).

 

Rectangular niche in north wall of pseudo-peristyle.

 

IX.2.16 Pompeii. Pre-1943. North wall of pseudo-peristyle, with niche.

According to Warscher –

this rectangular niche with projecting floor was in the north wall (height 0.22, x width 0.34, depth 0.25, and height above the floor 1.40).

See Warscher, T. Codex Topographicus Pompeianus, IX.2. (1943), Swedish Institute, Rome. (no.82.), p. 164.

 

IX.2.16 Pompeii. March 2009. Niche in north wall.

According to Boyce –

In the centre of the north wall of the pseudo-peristyle is a rectangular niche (h.0.22, w.0.34, d.0.25, h. above floor 1.40) with projecting floor.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.81, no.395).

 

IX.2.17 Pompeii.

Two arched niches at the west end of the north wall of the atrium. 

 

IX.2.17 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 1, atrium, two niches in west end of north wall.

According to Boyce, the walls of both were coated with white stucco. Fiorelli referred to them as due nicchie per i Penati.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.81)

The remains of the high red zoccolo can be seen on the north wall below the niches.

See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari in ambito domestico. Milano: LED Edizioni, (p.248, no.A36)

 

IX.2.17 Pompeii. Pre-1943. Room 1, atrium, looking towards west end of north wall with two niches.

See Warscher, T. Codex Topographicus Pompeianus, IX.2. (1943), Swedish Institute, Rome. (no.90.), p. 171.

 

IX.2.17 Pompeii. March 2009.  Room 1, atrium. North wall, upper niche.

According to Boyce – the higher niche (h.0.60, w.0.54, d.0.25, h. above floor 2.40), both niches were covered in white stucco.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.81, no.396A)

 

IX.2.17 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 1, atrium. North wall, lower niche.

According to Boyce – the lower niche (h.0.45, w.0.27, d.0.28, h. above floor 1.40), both niches were covered in white stucco.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.81, no.396A).

 

Lararium painting in kitchen, no trace remains.

 

IX.2.17 Pompeii. March 2009. Doorway to room 11, kitchen in north portico.

According to Boyce, on one wall of the kitchen was a lararium painting.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.81 no.398C).

According to Sogliano, the lararium was similar to the one in IX.2.16 but had vanished entirely.

Two Lares with rhyton and situla and in the middle the Genius with cornucopia and patera, sacrificing on the altar.

The tibicen was playing the double flute. Underneath was a single serpent beside an altar with a huge pine cone.

See Sogliano, A., 1879. Le pitture murali campane scoverte negli anni 1867-79. Napoli: (p.12).

See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari in ambito domestico. Milano: LED Edizioni, (p.205, no.98)

 

IX.2.17 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 11, looking towards north wall in kitchen. 

 

Painted aedicula on south side of low wall in garden area, no trace remains.

 

IX.2.17 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 9, garden area. Looking north-west towards north side and columns at the west end.

According to Boyce, the two columns at the west end of the north row were connected by a low wall (present height 1.50).

On the south side of this wall, facing the open area, was painted in red a simple aedicula with pediment (h.1.10.w.1.70).

Within the aedicula were painted two yellow serpents confronted at an altar. 

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p. 81, no. 397B).

 

IX.2.17 Pompeii. Pre-1943. Room 9, north wall at west end of garden area.  Photo by Tatiana Warscher.

See Warscher, T. Codex Topographicus Pompeianus, IX.2. (1943), Swedish Institute, Rome. (no.93.), p. 173.

According to Boyce, the two columns at the west end of the north row were connected by a low wall.

On the south side of this wall, facing the open area, was painted in red a simple aedicula with pediment.

Within the aedicula were painted two yellow serpents confronted at an altar.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p. 81, no. 397).

 

IX.2.17 Pompeii. Pre-1943. Photo by Tatiana Warscher.

Room 9, painted lararium on south side of north wall at west end of garden area. 

See Warscher, T. Codex Topographicus Pompeianus, IX.2. (1943), Swedish Institute, Rome. (no.94.), p. 174.

 

IX.2.18 Pompeii.

Rectangular niche in north wall of pseudo-peristyle.

 

IX.2.18 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 11, garden area. North wall of east portico.

Below the niche was a painted serpent creeping between plants.

On the plants were birds and an owl. Today, only the niche remains.

 

IX.2.18 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 11, garden area. Niche on north wall of east portico area.

According to Boyce, this rectangular niche (h.0.52, w.0.50, d.0.19, h. above floor 1.50) was coated with white stucco like the wall surrounding it.

The back wall was covered with red spots, imitating flowers, its floor was a projecting tile.

Painted on the wall below was an altar and from the right a huge red and yellow serpent with a crest approached it.

Around the serpent were painted plants, and on them was perched an owl and other birds.

Behind the serpent were two dolphins and a sea-monster.

Four other small dolphins were painted somewhere nearby.

Sogliano said, they were sul podio della nicchietta.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.81, no.399 and Pl.1,4).

See Sogliano, A., 1879. Le pitture murali campane scoverte negli anni 1867-79. Napoli. (p.18-19, no.62).

See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari in ambito domestico. Milano: LED Edizioni. (p. 283, no.V75).

 

IX.2.18 Pompeii. Pre-1937. Room 11, lararium and niche on north wall of garden area.  Photo by Tatiana Warscher

See Warscher, T. Codex Topographicus Pompeianus, IX.2. (1943), Swedish Institute, Rome. (no.106.), p. 186.

 

IX.2.21 Pompeii.

Square brick base with depression in upper surface, in front of it was a square brick altar.

 

IX.2.21 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 2, south-west corner.

According to Boyce, found in this room, that Fiorelli described as un cubiculo divenuto Larario, was a square brick base with a depression in its upper surface for a statue base and in front of it was a square brick altar.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.81, no. 400).

 

Stucco shrine with square niche, set into south wall of garden area.

 

IX.2.21 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 11, aedicula shrine on south wall. Below the shrine there were 2 serpents and an altar in stucco.

Boyce described this as –

a rectangular panel (h.1.80, w.1.70) of white stucco, with a square niche (0.44 square, d.0.15, h. above floor 1,20) set into it.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.81-82, no. 402 and Pl.9,1).

Giacobello describes this as a pseudo-aedicula lararium.

See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari in ambito domestico. Milano: LED Edizioni, (p.283 no.V76).

 

IX.2.21 Pompeii. c.1930s. Room 11, aedicula shrine on south wall.

DAIR 32. 117. Photo © Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Abteilung Rom, Arkiv.

 

IX.2.21 Pompeii. 22nd July 1902.

Room 11, watercolour by Luigi Bazzani of aedicula shrine on south wall.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 139419.

 

 

Peristyle, statue base and altar. Boyce says nothing visible today.

 

IX.2.21 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 11, south-west corner of garden area. 

According to Jashemski:

“Fiorelli mentions, but does not locate, an altar in the garden. 

Trendelenburg mentions both a statue base and an altar.  Neither are there today”. 

See Jashemski, W. F., 1993. The Gardens of Pompeii, Volume II: Appendices. New York: Caratzas. (p.229).

According to Boyce, “the report in the Bull. Inst. describes a second statue base with altar in the peristyle;

Fiorelli mentions only an altar; there is nothing to be seen there today”.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.81, no.401B)

Boyce gave the reference - Bull. Inst., 1871, 193.

 

IX.2.21 Pompeii. Pre-1943. Room 11, south-west corner of garden area. Photo by Tatiana Warscher.

See Warscher, T. Codex Topographicus Pompeianus, IX.2. (1943), Swedish Institute, Rome. (no.118.), p. 198.

 

IX.2.21 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 11, statue base and altar in garden area.

 

IX.2.24 Pompeii.

Painted arched niche on west wall of rear room/yard.

 

IX.2.24 Pompeii. December 2018. Looking towards west wall of yard. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

According to Boyce, a rectangular panel (h.1.57, w.1.15) of white stucco was spread on an otherwise bare wall.

In the middle of the panel was the arched niche (h.0.50, w.0.45, d.0.22, h. above floor 2.0).

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p. 82, no. 403 and Pl. 24, 2.)

 

IX.2.24 Pompeii. December 2018. Looking towards west wall with niche. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

 

IX.2.24 Pompeii. December 2018. Detail of niche set into west wall. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

 

IX.2.24 Pompeii. 1961.

Lararium niche on west wall of stable. Photo by Stanley A. Jashemski.

Source: The Wilhelmina and Stanley A. Jashemski archive in the University of Maryland Library, Special Collections (See collection page) and made available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial License v.4. See Licence and use details.

J61f0296

According to Boyce, on the rear wall of the niche was a painting of Epona riding a donkey/ass.

She had blond hair and a veil falling down over the back of her head and was wearing a white tunic and white boots.

She held the red reins in her right hand. In her left she held a child in green swaddling clothes, who held his arms out to her.

On the wall of the room on either side of the niche was a painted Lar, wreathed and wearing a white tunic with a vertical red stripe.

Below the niche, a man in a short dark tunic leads two donkeys behind him.

In the lower zone a large serpent advances from the right towards an altar furnished with offerings.

Across the top of the whole painting is tretched a garland with taeniae.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p. 82, no. 403 and Pl. 24, 2.)

 

IX.2.24 Pompeii. W.1511. c.1935-1943. West wall of stable, with lararium in niche.

The right-hand Lar seems to have been removed.

Photo by Tatiana Warscher. Photo © Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Abteilung Rom, Arkiv.

See Warscher, T. Codex Topographicus Pompeianus, IX.2. (1943), Swedish Institute, Rome. (no.125.), p. 216.

 

IX.2.24 Pompeii. Old photo of lararium and niche on west wall of stable.

According to Fröhlich, on the lower left was a painted altar with a snake approaching, through plants, from the right. 

Above right was a man leading two donkeys. 

In the niche was a female figure on a donkey, perhaps Vesta, Epona or Isis-Epona.

Two Lares were at the top, one on either side of the niche. 

See Fröhlich, T., 1991, Lararien und Fassadenbilder in den Vesuvstädten. Mainz: von Zabern.  (L99: p.293, T. 42,3).

DAIR. 31. 1770. Photo © Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Abteilung Rom, Arkiv.

 

IX.2.24 Pompeii. Drawing by Geremia Discanno, 1870, of painting as seen on west wall with lararium and niche.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number ADS 992.

Photo © ICCD. https://www.catalogo.beniculturali.it

Utilizzabili alle condizioni della licenza Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Condividi allo stesso modo 2.5 Italia (CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 IT)

 

IX.2.26 Pompeii.

Aedicula lararium against north wall of atrium.

 

IX.2.26 Pompeii. March 2009. Remains of Lararium.

According to Boyce, the high podium (0.95 by 0.78, h,1.53) was coated with red stucco and on the front was painted a cylindrical altar with offerings.

Two yellowish serpents coiled around the altar, raising their heads to the offerings, one from each side.

Around the top of the podium ran a heavy cornice adorned with a red frieze of stucco, above it two columns.

These columns with capitals and bases (h.0.56) supported an architrave with a design of scallops and a cornice with triple band, all done in coloured stucco.

The back wall was decorated with shrubs and birds painted on a yellow background, the side walls were painted as red and yellow imitation marble.

On the exterior of each side wall were a hippogriff (a mythical beast half griffin and half horse) and two dolphins.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p. 82, no. 404, Pl. 34, 3).

See Fröhlich, T., 1991, Lararien und Fassadenbilder in den Vesuvstädten. Mainz: von Zabern.  (L100: p.294).

See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari in ambito domestico. Milano: LED Edizioni, (p.249, no.A37).

 

IX.2.26 Pompeii. c.1931. Looking north to lararium in atrium, entrance corridor on left, triclinium on right.

DAIR 31.2471. Photo © Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Abteilung Rom, Arkiv.

Or See Warscher, T. Codex Topographicus Pompeianus, IX.2. (1943), Swedish Institute, Rome. (no.132.), p. 233.

 

IX.2.26 Pompeii. 1886? Watercolour by Luigi Bazzani.

Looking north in atrium towards lararium on east side of entrance corridor.

Photo © Victoria and Albert Museum. Inventory number 1066-1886.

 

IX.2.27 Pompeii.

Lararium, west wall of peristyle.

 

IX.2.27 Pompeii. July 2017. Looking south-west across portico towards shrine in peristyle.

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

 

IX.2.27 Pompeii. July 2017. Looking towards west wall of peristyle, with remains of shrine.

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

According to Boyce, -

Above a low podium (1.10 by 0.70, h.0.40) two enclosing walls (h. as far as preserved 1.30) built against the wall of the room form a rectangular niche (w.0.60, d.0.50) above a low podium, but none of the floor was preserved.

The inside walls are painted blue with red borders.

On the ground in front of the shrine stood a square masonry altar.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p. 82, no. 405)..

Giacobello described this as an Aedicula lararium.

See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari in ambito domestico. Milano: LED Edizioni, (p.284 no.V77).

 

 

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