Pompeii Street View. Via di Mercurio. South to North.

Part 1      Part 2

Looking north from south end.

Via di Mercurio at the south end between VI.8, on left, and VI.10, on right. December 2018.

Looking north through the Arch of Caligula into Via di Mercurio, from crossroads of Via delle Terme, on left, and Via della Fortuna, on right.

Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

Via di Mercurio at the south end between VI.8 and VI.10. September 2005.

Looking north through the Arch of Caligula.

Via Mercurio, Pompeii. January 1977. Looking north through the Arch of Caligula. Photo courtesy of David Hingston.

Via Mercurio, Pompeii. From an Album dated 1882.

Looking north through the Arch at south end of Via Mercurio. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

Via di Mercurio at the south end between VI.8 and VI.10. 1945.

Looking north through the Arch of Caligula.  Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

Via di Mercurio at the south end between VI.8 and VI.10. 1944.

Looking north through the Arch of Caligula, from junction with Via del Foro. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

(This photo was in an album belonging to a sailor assigned to Patrol Squadron 63 (VP-63).)

Via di Mercurio at the south end between VI.8 and VI.10. c.1879. Photograph by Sommer, numbered 198.

Looking north through arch. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

Via di Mercurio at the south end between VI.8 and VI.10. From an album dated April 1878.

Photograph by M. Amodio. Looking north through arch. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

Via di Mercurio, Pompeii. February 1988. Looking north through Arch of Caligula towards west side of roadway.

Photo by Joachime Méric courtesy of Jean-Jacques Méric.

Via di Mercurio, Pompeii. November 1958.

Looking north through Arch towards Tower XI, and Vesuvius. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

Via di Mercurio between VI.8 and VI.10. September 2004. Looking north from VI.8.12 on left, with VI.10.9 on right.

Via di Mercurio, east side, Pompeii. November 2024.

Looking north towards doorway at VI.10.8, in centre. Photo courtesy of Annette Haug.

Via di Mercurio, east side, Pompeii. November 2024.

Looking north towards doorway at VI.10.8, in centre, with VI.10.7, centre left. Photo courtesy of Annette Haug.

Via di Mercurio, Pompeii. Drawing by Gell c.1830 of sequence of wall fronts at VI.10 with graffiti.

See Gell, W. Sketchbook of Pompeii, c.1830.

See book from Van Der Poel Campanian Collection on Getty website http://hdl.handle.net/10020/2002m16b425

According to Gell (1832) of the house succeeding to that of Ceres (VI.10.7), which has its vestibule, atrium, with its ala, in the centre of one side, and four cubiculae only as yet excavated, there is little to remark.

(1)        In the wall which follows the door are four small windows above; and below are written, in large characters,

PROSALVTEM AVG. CIPARO.

(2)        Nearer the door is

M. HOLCON

RISCVM AED OVF.

(3)        Also

M CVM

MEMOR. ROG

(4)        Besides these we find

C. CASELLIVM

AED. DVF

(5)        and in another place

VARIVM

AED OR. RO

(6)        we have also

MARCELLVM

AED. ROG

and it is not impossible that, amongst so much bad and very equivocal writing, though in capitals, the three letters under C. Casellium may be intended, by a certain rounding of the D, to be taken either for Duumvir, or Orat ut faveat.

(7)        Near the next door (VI.10.6) is written

V. PONPO.AED F.

and, on this account, the house is considered to have been under the protection of the aedile Pomponius, whose name is so ill written. This house has its atrium and four small rooms now visible; but the remainder was not excavated in March 1829. Still ascending the street, the following house (VI.10.4) was protected by Avellius Firmus, and that was succeeded by the thermopolium or lupanare.

(8)        On the house of Avellius is written

AVELLIVM. FIRMVM

AED. O.V.F. DIGN. EST

CANVSIA CVM. NYMPHIO. ROG

The name of Canusia is very uncertain, but it would seem that he, with Nymphius, might be considered as proprietors of the dwelling.

See Gell, W, 1832.  Pompeiana: Vol 2.  London: Jennings and Chaplin, pp. 8-10.

The numbers in brackets are ours added to provide clarity and to directly link with the inscriptions on record below.

The inscriptions on record

These are the corresponding inscriptions, using the same numbers and in the same sequence as Gell above, as recorded in Epigraphic Database Roma, Epigraphik-Datenbank Clauss/Slaby, and CIL IV that would verify the wall and this drawing. Please be aware that in places their interpretation, and their location, has varied over time and we have included the CIL IV entries that explain this.

(1)        The Epigraphik-Datenbank Clauss/Slaby shows

Pro salute domus Aug(ustae) gl(adiatorum) par(ia) [3 pugn(abunt)     [CIL IV 1196]

CIL IV shows it as

Strada di Mercurio inter n. 3 et n. 4; v. ACTA et GELL.

PRO·SALVTE·DOMVS·AVG·GL·PAR …..

QVO TEMPORE HABEBIT SEI FEC ….

Avellino Bull. Inst. 1831 p. 14 (inde Guarini cons. voluti munic. p. 40; fasti ed. 2 p. 172 et Garrucci B. N. 1853 p. 116). - V. 1 solum acta et Amicone 26 Ian. 1827; Gell 1832 II p. 9.

1 PRO SALVTEM AVG CIPARO Gell. - AVGGI acta, AVGI Amic.

(2)        The Epigraphik-Datenbank Clauss/Slaby shows

M(arcum) Holconium / Priscum aed(ilem) o(ro) v(os) f(aciatis)      [CIL IV 161]

CIL IV shows it as

In muro aedd. dell'ancora (inter n. 3 et n. 4) GELL.

M · HOLCONIVM

PRISCVM · AED · OVF

Acta et Amic. II. citt.; Geli 1832 II p. 9.

1. 2 IVM | P om. Gell. - 2 PRISCVM·M·CALLICA Amic. cf. inscr. seq.

(3)        The Epigraphik-Datenbank Clauss/Slaby shows

M(arcum) C(errinium) V(atiam) aed(ilem) / Memor rog(at)      [CIL IV 164]

CIL IV shows it as

Ibidem (= nel muro esterno della casa (dell'ancora))

M C V AED

MEMOR ROG

Acta, Amicone, Gell (male) II. cc.; Guar. (ex sched. Iorii i. e. ex actis) it. vag. mans. II p. 23.

(4)        The Epigraphic Database Roma shows

Casellium
âêd(ilem) o(ro) v(os) f(aciatis)       [CIL IV 163]

From VI, 10, 7, via di Mercurio, Casa dell'Ancora (gen. 1827)

(5)        The Epigraphik-Datenbank Clauss/Slaby shows

L(ucium) Varium Gallica[num] / [6] / aed(ilem) d(ignum) r(ei) p(ublicae) o(ro) v(os) f(aciatis)      [CIL IV 162]

CIL IV shows it as

In rnuris aedd. dell'ancora GELL.

L · VARIVM · M · CALLICA ….

……

AED·D·R·P·OVF

Acta et Amicone 11. cc.; Gell 1832 II p. 9; Guarini (ex sched. Iorii i. e. ex actis) ìt. vag. mans. II p. 24.

VARIVM AED OR·RO Gell. - 1 extr. lacunam significavi. - 2 om. Guar. - 3 P om. idem.

1 L. Variu[m G]allica[num?

(6)        The Epigraphic Database Roma shows

Marcellum
aed(ilem) rog(at)      [CIL IV 160]

From VI, 10, 7, via di Mercurio, Casa dell'Ancora (gen. 1827)

(7)        The Epigraphik-Datenbank Clauss/Slaby shows

M(arcum) Pompon(ium) aed(ilem) v(irum) b(onum)      [CIL IV 27]

CIL IV shows it as

inter n. 4 et 5, in muro aedium Pomponii quae hinc vocantur.

in tectorio albo

M POMPON AED VB

Descripsimus (MZ). Exbibent acta 24 Oct. 1827 p. 201; Amicone 23 Oct. 1827; Geli 1832 II p. 10; Guarini it. vag. mans. II p. 24 ex Jorii schedis.

M acta et Amic., V Gell, I nos - POMPON acta, POMPONI Amic., PONPO Gell, POMPONIVM Guar. - AED acta, Amic, Gell, AED Guar. - VB acta, VB Amic., F Gell, OVF Guar., V Mommsen, V. ego.

(8)        The Epigraphic Database Roma shows

A(ulum) Vettium Firmûm
aed(ilem) o(ro) v(os) f(aciatis), dign(us) est.
Caprasia cum Nymphio rog(at),
una et vìcinì, ô(ro) v̂(os) f(aciatis) ((:palma))       [CIL IV 171]

From VI, 10, 4, via di Mercurio, casa di Nymphius e Caprasia (23 ott. 1827)

In addition, the Epigraphic Database Roma also shows

L(ucium) Veranium Hypsaeum
quinq(uennalem) d(ignum) r(ei) p(ublicae) ô(ro) v̂(os) f(aciatis)
Primus rog(at)      [CIL IV 170]

From VI, 10, 5, bottega sulla via di Mercurio, sulla parete esterna (23 ott. 1827)

M(arcum) C(asellium) Ma(rcellum)      [CIL IV 172]

From VI, 10, 4, via di Mercurio, Casa di Caprasia e Nymphius (ott. 1827)

Marcellum
aed(ilem)      [CIL IV 173]

From VI, 10, 4, via di Mercurio, Casa di Caprasia e Nymphius (ott. 1827)

Via di Mercurio, west side, Pompeii. October 2014. VI.8.21, on left, VI.8.22, in centre, VI.8.23 and 24, on right.

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

Via di Mercurio, west side, Pompeii. 1968. Looking north towards doorway to VI.8.21, on left. 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.

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Via di Mercurio, May 2010. Looking north towards crossroads with Vicolo di Mercurio, from near VI.8.23, on left.

Via di Mercurio, east side, Pompeii. October 2017.

Looking north from near VI.10.3, on right, and painted plaster of front façade of VI.10.2.

Foto Taylor Lauritsen, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

Via di Mercurio, east side, Pompeii. July 2021.

Looking north-east from VI.10.2, on right, towards bar at VI.10.1 and junction with Vicolo di Mercurio.

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

Via di Mercurio, Pompeii. October 1992.

Looking north towards fountain and crossroads at junction with Vicolo di Mercurio.

Photo by Louis Méric courtesy of Jean-Jacques Méric.

Via di Mercurio, east side, May 2010. Looking east from crossroads with Vicolo di Mercurio, between VI.9 and VI.10.

Via di Mercurio. W.1047. Looking east from crossroads with Vicolo di Mercurio between VI.9 and VI.10.

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

Via di Mercurio, west side, September 2004. Looking west from crossroads with Vicolo di Mercurio between VI.8 and VI.7.

Via di Mercurio, west side, Pompeii. 1968.

Looking west from crossroads with Vicolo di Mercurio between VI.8 and VI.7. 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.

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Via di Mercurio, west side, Pompeii. October 2018. Looking north-west towards junction with Vicolo di Mercurio, on left.

Foto Taylor Lauritsen, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

Via di Mercurio, west side, Pompeii. December 2018.

Looking north from fountain at junction with Vicolo di Mercurio, seen on left. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

Via di Mercurio, Pompeii. March 2019. Looking north from junction with Vicolo di Mercurio, with VI.7 on left, and VI.9, on right.

Foto Taylor Lauritsen, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

Via di Mercurio, May 2010. Looking north from junction with Vicolo di Mercurio, between VI.7 and VI.9.

Via di Mercurio, Pompeii. November 1961. Looking north towards Tower XI from near fountain. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

Via di Mercurio, March 1939. 

Looking north from junction with Vicolo di Mercurio, between VI.7 and VI.9. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

Via di Mercurio between VI.7 and VI.9. March 2009. Looking north from near junction with Vicolo di Mercurio at VI.7.8 and VI.9.7.

Via di Mercurio between VI.7 and VI.9. September 2004. Looking north towards east side, from crossroads with Vicolo di Mercurio.

Via di Mercurio, west side. December 2018. Looking north along VI.7, from VI.7.8, on left. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

Via di Mercurio, west side. December 2018.

Looking west towards junction with Vicolo di Mercurio on south side of VI.7.8, on left. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

Via di Mercurio, west side, Pompeii. December 2018.

Looking north at west side showing facades of VI.7.8-14. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

Via di Mercurio, looking north at west side showing facades of VI.7.8-15. W.1297.

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

Via di Mercurio between VI.7 and VI.9. August 2021. Looking north towards Tower XI. Photo courtesy of Robert Hanson.

Via di Mercurio, Pompeii. December 2018.

Looking north from between VI.7 on left, and VI.9 on right. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

Via di Mercurio, east side. September 2005. Looking north from VI.9.7.

Via di Mercurio, Pompeii. 1950s. Looking north between VI.7 and VI.9, towards Tower XI. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

Via di Mercurio between VI.7 and VI.9. September 2004. Looking north.

Via di Mercurio, Pompeii, April 2019. Looking north towards Tower XI. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

Via di Mercurio, Pompeii. October 2014. Looking north along east side of roadway, with doorway to VI.9.5, on right.

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

Via di Mercurio, east side. May 2006. Looking north from VI.9.3.

Via di Mercurio, east side. October 2014. Looking north from entrance doorway at VI.9.2.

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

Via di Mercurio, Pompeii, April 2019. Looking north from VI.9.2, on right. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

Via di Mercurio, west side. Pre-1937-39.

Looking towards the west side at the northern end with doorways to VI.7.25 and VI.7.26.

Photo courtesy of American Academy in Rome, Photographic Archive. Warsher collection no. 1520.

Via di Mercurio, north end, between VI.7 and VI.9. Looking north at Tower XI.

Photographed 1970-79 by Günther Einhorn, picture courtesy of his son Ralf Einhorn.

Via di Mercurio, east side, Pompeii. 1957. Looking north towards Tower XI, and exterior wall of VI.9.1. 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.

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Part 2