VI.8.12 Pompeii. Shop (fruit?). Linked to VI.8.13.

Excavated 1823, 1826, 1845. (Strada di Mercurio 45).

VI.8.12 Pompeii, on left. December 2018.

Looking towards entrance doorways on west side of Via di Mercurio, with VI.8.13, on right. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

VI.8.12 Pompeii, on left. December 2018. Looking towards entrance doorway. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

VI.8.12 Pompeii. May 2006. Looking west to entrance doorway.

According to Della Corte, on the left of entrance number 12 was found an electoral recommendation from the Pomari (the fruitsellers)–

Pomari rog(ant) [CIL IV 180].

Between the entrances of VI.8.12 and 13 was found –

Pomari facite     [CIL IV 183], and then opposite this third, was found –

Pomari rog(ant)    [CIL IV 149]

A fourth recommendation could be read on the exterior of the House of Helvio Vestale (VI.8.22/1)–

Pomari rog(ant)    [CIL IV 206]      and also near this last was found –

Pomari universi

Cum Helvio Vestale rog(ant)    [CIL IV 202]

Della Corte’s theory was that this all proved that Helvius Vestalis was the protector, the head of the collegium of fruit sellers of Pompeii, and that the meetings of the society were perhaps held in the upper rooms of number 12 and 13.

See Della Corte, M., 1965. Case ed Abitanti di Pompei. Napoli: Fausto Fiorentino. (p.59)

According to Epigraphik-Datenbank Clauss/Slaby (See www.manfredclauss.de), these read as –

M(arcum) Enium Sabinum

aed(ilem) pomari rog(ant)      [CIL IV 180]

Vettium Firmum

aed(ilem) o(ro) v(os) f(aciatis) dign(um)

est pomari facite                      [CIL IV 183]

M(arcum) Cerrinium

aed(ilem) pomari rog(ant)      [CIL IV 149]

M(arcum) Holconium

Priscum aed(ilem) pomari rog(ant)      [CIL IV 206]

M(arcum) Holconium

Priscum IIvir(um) i(ure) d(icundo)

pomari universi

cum Helvio Vestale rog(ant)     [CIL IV 202]

VI.8.12 Pompeii. Pre-1827. Inscription to M HOLCONIVM PRISCVM [CIL IV 202].

See Real Museo Borbonico Vol. III, 1827, p.10 of “Relazione degli Scavi di Pompei, da Dicembre 1826 fino a Giugno 1827”.

VI.8.12 Pompeii. 1854 drawing of inscription to M HOLCONIVM PRISCVM [CIL IV 202].

See Niccolini F, 1854. Le case ed i monumenti di Pompei: Volume Primo. Napoli, Casa detta della seconda fontana, tav 1.

According to Pagano and Prisciandaro, found in July 1825 written on the wall on the left, was –

Marcellum aediles

et Albucium

o(ro) v(os) f(aciatis)    [CIL IV 182]

and in September 1825, found written in red, were –

Faustinium    [CIL IV 185]

L(ucium) Albucium    [CIL IV 186]

and in February 1826, found painted in red, on the pilaster between 12 and 13, was –

M(arcum) Albucium aed(ilem)    [CIL IV 184]

See Pagano, M. and Prisciandaro, R., 2006. Studio sulle provenienze degli oggetti rinvenuti negli scavi borbonici del regno di Napoli. Naples: Nicola Longobardi, (p. 133-4).

See Fiorelli G., 1862. Pompeianarum antiquitatum historia, Vol. 2: 1819 - 1860, Naples, p. 135, p. 148.

VI.8.12 Pompeii. December 2005. Looking north-west across entrance, towards linked VI.8.13.

VI.8.12 Pompeii. September 2005. Looking north along Via di Mercurio from near VI.8.12.

According to Garcia y Garcia, a bomb fell here in the first bombing raid at about 5 o’clock on 13th September 1943.

It fell in the road facing the entrances at VI.8.12 and 13, disrupting the road and pavement for about 3metres.

See Garcia y Garcia, L., 2006. Danni di guerra a Pompei. Rome: L’Erma di Bretschneider, (p.76).