VIII.7.8 Pompeii. Workshop dwelling of M. Surus (Syrus) Garasenus, son of Dama.

Linked to VIII.7.7. Excavated 1764, 1873, 1906 and 2005 to 2010.

 

The Pompeii Archaeological Research Project: Porta Stabia (PARP:PS) has been excavating VIII.7.1 to 15 since 2005.

For more detail see their annual research reports at http://www.fastionline.org/micro_view.php?itemkey=fst_cd&fst_cd=AIAC_356.

 

VIII.7.8 Pompeii. September 2010.  Entrance on Via Stabiana. Looking west.

Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

 

VIII.7.8 Pompeii. September 2005. Entrance.

 

VIII.7.8 Pompeii. September 2010. ID plate on north wall of entrance.

Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

 

VIII.7.8 Pompeii. September 2010.

Looking west across the front room of the workshop towards corridor, tablinum and cubiculum, from entrance.

Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

In 2007, just inside the threshold of the shop entrance, a tank and two 6.5m length by 2.7m width and 1.5m depth vaulted cisterns.

One cistern ran north to south along the entire length of the front room.

The other cistern ran east to west along the south wall and was connected to the first.

The remains of a drain were also excavated.

The excavation report proposes the question what was such a massive water supply needed or used for?

See http://www.fastionline.org/docs/FOLDER-it-2008-112.pdf .

 

VIII.7.8 Pompeii. September 2010. Doorway to cubiculum on west side of shop.

Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

According to Della Corte, in 79AD in this ample shop with several communicating rooms, lived one Marcus Surus.

We cannot guess what commerce or industry was carried on in his shop.

However, we do know he was a veteran of the Misenum fleet, in which he had served for 26 years as a rower.

He was of Gerasa, a city of the Decapolis in Jordan/Palestine, and had transferred to Pompeii from Paestum.

In his cubiculum where he slept, was found preserved the authentic copy in bronze of the decree of his discharge in the year 71AD by Vespasian, by which he was accorded Roman citizenship. 

This decree was found on 16th July 1874 and is CIL X 867, and names M.  Damae f. Suro Garaseno.

See Della Corte, M., 1965.  Case ed Abitanti di Pompei. Napoli: Fausto Fiorentino. (p.263) 

See Wikipedia for description of ten cities of Decapolis.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 110043.

 

VIII.7.8 Pompeii. Text of outer side parts of the bronze decree of discharge found on 16th July 1874.

This names M. Surus Garasenus, son of Dama, and was issued on 5^th April 71 A.D.       [CIL X 867].

See Giornale degli Scavi di Pompei 1874, NS3, 22, p. 53-4.

 

VIII.7.8 Pompeii. Text of inner side parts of the decree of discharge of M. Surus Garasenus, found on 16th July 1874.

See CIL X 867, which names M. DAMAE f. SVRO GARASENO.

See Giornale degli Scavi di Pompei 1874, NS3, 22, p. 53-4.

 

VIII.7.8 Pompeii. 1885 drawing showing style of first lines of decree of discharge of M. Surus Garasenus.

According to Hübner this is from the “Intus, tabella prior”:

Imp(erator) Caesar Vespasianus Aug(ustus)

pont{ifex) max(imus), tr(ibunicia) pot(estate) II, imp(erator) VI, p(ater) p(atriae)…..”      [CIL IV 867].

See Hübner E., 1885. Exempla scripturae epigraphicae latinae a Caesaris dictatoris morte ad aetatem Iustiniani. Berlin: George Reimer. (820, p. 288).

 

VIII.7.8 Pompeii. September 2010.  Looking west into tablinum (or used as triclinium).

Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

 

VIII.7.8 Pompeii. September 2010. Looking south at kitchen with hearth, near south wall of shop.

Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

 

VIII.7.8 Pompeii. September 2010. Looking west along corridor to rear workshop room.

Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

 

VIII.7.8 Pompeii. September 2010.

Doorway to small storeroom on north side of corridor. Looking north.

Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

 

VIII.7.8 Pompeii. September 2010. Storeroom, looking west towards rear.

Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

 

VIII.7.8 Pompeii. September 2010.

Looking east along corridor towards shop entrance on Via Stabiana, from rear workshop room.

Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

 

VIII.7.8 Pompeii. September 2010. Rear workshop room, north-west corner.

Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

 

VIII.7.8 Pompeii. September 2010. Rear workshop room, south-west corner.

Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.