I.2.24 Pompeii. Officina libraria of Acilius Cedrus, (according to Fiorelli & Della Corte).

Caupona or wine shop, (according to Mau). 

Linked to I.2.25. Excavated 1872.

Part 2       Part 1

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2010. Looking east across atrium towards area of peristyle. Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2010.

Looking north into small room on east side of atrium, in north-west corner of peristyle. Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

I.2.24 Pompeii. December 2006. Room to west of pseudoperistyle.

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2010.

Looking south across atrium from small room in north-west corner of peristyle. Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2010. South wall of small room in south-west corner of peristyle. Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2010.

Detail of corner brick column in east wall of small room. Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2010. Looking east across south side of peristyle, from south-west corner. Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

I.2.24 Pompeii. October 2017. Looking towards the north and east walls of the peristyle. 

Foto Taylor Lauritsen, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

According to Boyce –

In the east wall of the peristyle, above one of the beds of a masonry triclinium, is a niche, described by Fiorelli as a sacrario, more fully by Mau as

“un aedicula, una base, cioè, con una piccola tavola, che sta in un specie di nicchia coperta a volta, e probabilmente conteneva un’idolo”.

[an aedicula, a base, that is, with a small table, which is in a sort of vaulted niche, and probably contained an idol".]

There remains now only the solid base (0.40 by 0.32, h.0.65) and on the wall above it the marks left by a vaulted structure which rested on the base.

He quotes references – Bull. Inst., 1874, 262; Fiorelli, Descr., 47.     

I.2.24 Pompeii. October 2017. Looking south on site of triclinium.

Foto Taylor Lauritsen, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

I.2.24 Pompeii. October 2017. Amphora.

Foto Taylor Lauritsen, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

I.2.24 Pompeii. October 2017. Red lettering on the neck of the amphora.

Foto Taylor Lauritsen, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2010.

Looking north across site of summer triclinium and peristyle, from south portico. Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

According to Jashemski, this Caupona or Officina Libraria had a portico on the south and east sides of the garden area.

The columns were connected by a low wall with an entrance to the garden on the west.

The caupona was excavated in 1873. There was a masonry triclinium with a table in the garden.

Two large breaks in the triclinium, which is today badly damaged, reveal the amphorae used in its construction.

Fiorelli believed that the low podium along the north wall held pots of flowers.

Mau reported a drainage channel at the corner of the triclinium, but it is no longer visible.

Only the base of an aedicula lararium built against the east wall opposite the north end of the east couch can still be seen.

See Jashemski, W. F., 1993. The Gardens of Pompeii, Volume II: Appendices. New York: Caratzas. (p.25)

According to Boyce, in the east wall of the peristyle, above one of the beds of a masonry triclinium was a niche.

It was described by Fiorelli as a sacrario.

More fully described by Mau as an “aedicula, una base, con una piccola tavola, che sta in una specie di nicchia coperta a volta, e probabilmente conteneva un’idolo”.

There remains now only the solid base, (0.40 by 0.32, h.0.65) and on the wall above it, the marks left by a vaulted structure which rested on the base.

Bull. Inst, 1874, 262; Fiorelli, Descr., 47.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.23, no.17)

As this book was written in the 1930s, it is probable that there is now even less evidence of the niche, following the bombing in the near vicinity in 1943, and the damage of the 1980 earthquake.

Possibly the solid base may be visible on the extreme right of the above photo, but would need a clearer photo.

If the white lapilli is covering the site of the triclinium, then the stone in the photo would seem to be in the correct place, “against the east wall opposite the north end of the east couch”, but according to Boyce’s measurements appears to look too small.

I.2.24 Pompeii. December 2006. North and east walls of two-sided pseudoperistyle.

According to Della Corte, the oft-quoted graffito (CIL IV 3948) was found in the peristyle -

Talia te fallant, utinam, mendacia, copo! Tu ve(n)dis aquam, et bibes ipse merum!  (CIL IV 3948 and Note 1 on p.274).

See Della Corte, M., 1965. Case ed Abitanti di Pompei. Napoli: Fausto Fiorentino. (p.274)

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

Talia te fallant

utinam me(n)dacia copo

tu ve(n)des a<q=C>uam et

bibes ipse merum          [CIL IV 3948]

I.2.24 Pompeii. 1966. Looking north from the masonry triclinium in the garden area.

On the right, only the base of an aedicula lararium remains against the east wall. 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.

J66f0211

I.2.24 Pompeii. December 2006. Looking east across site of peristyle and garden triclinium towards I.2.23.

According to Mau, a graffito written in the peristyle of a caupona or large wineshop with several dining rooms, was

Talia te fallant utinam me(n)daecia, copo,

Tu ve(n)des acuam et bibes ipse merum    [CIL IV 3948]

This translated as

Landlord, may your lies malign,

Bring destruction on your head!

You yourself drink unmixed wine,

Water, sell your guests instead.

See Mau, A., 1907, translated by Kelsey, F. W., Pompeii: Its Life and Art. New York: Macmillan. (p. 404).

This translated as “Host, may you pay for your swindling. You sell us water, and save the good wine for yourself.” [CIL IV 3948]

See Pompeii, the history, life and art of the buried city, ed by Panetta, (p. 230)

This translated as “Curses on you innkeeper! What you sell us is water, and you keep the wine for yourself.!” [CIL IV 3948, written on wall of an inn)

See Dobbins, J & Foss, P., 2008. The World of Pompeii. New York: Routledge. (p.476)

I.2.24 Pompeii. 1966. Looking west from garden and triclinium towards atrium. 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.

J66f0217

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2010.

Looking south across peristyle over remains of the triclinium, towards the three rooms on the south side. Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

I.2.24 Pompeii. 1935 photo taken by Tatiana Warscher.

Looking south across peristyle over remains of the triclinium, towards the rooms on the south side.

On the left, the altar base can be seen, (see description from Boyce, (p.23, no.17).

See Warscher T., 1935. Codex Topographicus Pompeianus: Regio I.2. (no. 46), Rome: DAIR, whose copyright it remains.

According to Warscher, quoting Bull. Inst. 1874, p.255-256,  –

I.2.24. “Evidentemente in origine il peristilio aveva 6 colonne di mattoni verso O, e 4 verso S, congiunte da un muricciuolo alto m. 0,52, e coi suoi portici occupava tutta quella parte della casa, dimodochè intorno ad esso non vi erano camere, ad eccezione del triclinio, il quale benché si apra sul peristilio, sta però piuttosto accanto all’atrio.

Più tardi però, quando si cercò di guadagnar più camere, qui pure, come in tante altre case, il peristilio dovette subire cambiamenti.

L’estremità settentrionale, cioè del portico occidentale fu trasformata in una cameretta, nel cui muro orientale è conservata ancora una colonna.

Tale cameretta ha la porta verso S ed una finestra verso E sul viridarium; nell’angolo SE di essa un rialzo di materiale mostra l’impressione d’un vaso rotondo.

Inoltre si inchiusero in un muro le colonne meridionali, trasformando quel portico in due camere, di cui la prima (da E serviva di cucina: vi si trova focolare, forno e cesso).

Per supplire poi al portico così perduto, fra la penultima, adesso ultima, delle colonne occidentali e il muro orientale si costruì un pilastro quadrato: una trave, che congiunse colonna, pilastro e mura, dovette sorreggere il tetto dalla parte del viridario trasformata così in un portico.

Più tardi soltanto quel pilastro fu congiunto col muro e colla colonna da un muricciuolo come quello del lato occidentale.

- Tutti questi cambiamenti si riconoscono in modo indubitabile: i muri delle camere verso S sono appoggiati soltanto al muro meridionale, non congiunti con esso, e la stessa decorazione del peristilio continua nelle camere.

Altri cambiamenti, che però ne’dettagli non è possibile di rintracciare, ci vengono accennati da una porta murata che all’estremità verso E del portico meridionale congiungeva una volta questo peristilio colla casa adiacente. -

Presso l’angolo SO, accanto alle camere meridionali, una parte del suolo è innalzata un poco e inchiusa a linea curva verso E da un muricciuolo (alto m. 0,61 di fuori, 0,52 di dentro), del resto da un margine poco elevato; e chiara ne è la destinazione: vi si trovarono alcune anfore, appoggiate al muro.

- Sul lato meridionale del pilastro summentovato troviamo la seguente iscrizione, la cui significazione sarà simile a quella dell’iscrizione de’librari; siccome però è scritta a carbone, così  non sene poteva leggere che questo:

Q  VERANIVS  RVFVS   C   POMIO  IIVS  CALVS

VEDIVS  SIRICVS           C             SANT       III

      RENTIVS FELIC                                                         (CIL IV. 3952)

(translation: I.2.24 “Evidently the original peristyle would have had 6 masonry columns towards the west side,  and 4 towards the south, joined by a wall 0,52m high, and with its porticoes covering all that part of the house, so around it there were no rooms, with the exception of the triclinium, which although it opened onto the peristyle, it was however rather near to the atrium. Later though, when more rooms were sought, as in many other cases, the peristyle underwent changes. The northern end of the western portico was altered into a room, in the east wall of which, a column was still preserved. This room had a door towards the south and a window towards the east onto the garden: in the south-east corner a prominence of material showed the impression of a round pot. Also enclosed into a wall were the southern columns, transforming this portico into two rooms, of which the first (from the east, used as a kitchen: hearth, oven and latrine).

To compensate for the lost portico, a square pillar was built between the penultimate and last western columns and the eastern wall; a beam, which joined column, pillar and walls to support the roof of the garden, now transformed into a portico.

Later only that pillar was joined with the wall and with the column from a wall, as that of the west side.

-All these changes one can undoubtedly recognize: the walls of the rooms to the south were resting only against the southern wall, not joined with it, and the same peristyle decoration continued in the rooms.

Other changes, but the details were not all possible to trace, were indicated by a walled door that towards the eastern end of the southern portico joined this peristyle at one time to the adjacent house. -

Towards the south-west corner, near to the southern room, part of the soil was raised a little and enclosed a line towards the east by a wall (0.61 m high outside, 0.52 inside), the remains of a low edge slightly elevated; and clear was the destination: here were found some amphorae, resting against the wall.

-On the south side of the mentioned pillar we find the following inscription, whose significance will be similar to that of the inscription of the librari: as it was written in charcoal, on it this could be read” -

Q  VERANIVS  RVFVS   C   POMIO  IIVS  CALVS

VEDIVS  SIRICVS           C             SANT       III

      RENTIVS FELIC                                                         (CIL IV. 3952)

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2010. Detail of amphora stored under lapilli in centre of peristyle area. Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

“Two large breaks in the triclinium, which is today badly damaged, reveal the amphorae used in its construction”.

Is this what Jashemski was describing in 1993?

See Jashemski, W. F., 1993. The Gardens of Pompeii, Volume II: Appendices. New York: Caratzas. (p.25)

I.2.24 Pompeii. December 2006. Looking south to three rooms on south side of peristyle.

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2010. Looking west along south portico, from south-east corner.

The middle of the three rooms and its doorway, can be seen on the left. Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2010.

Looking west into the middle of the three rooms on the south side of the peristyle. Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2010.

Looking east into the room, kitchen and latrine, in the south-east corner of the peristyle.

Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2010.

Looking west across large room on south side of atrium. Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2010. South wall of the large room on south side of atrium. Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2010.

North wall of large room and doorway in north-east corner, into the south side of atrium. Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2010. North wall and north-west corner of large room. Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2010.

Looking north through doorway of large room, into atrium. Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2010.

Looking west towards stairs between the doorway to the large room, on left, and atrium, on right.

Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2018.

Looking towards east half of south wall of atrium, with niche. The stairs are behind the wall on the left. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2010.

East half of south wall of atrium, with niche. The stairs are behind the wall on the left. Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2018.

Looking across atrium towards south wall, on the right is the entrance corridor. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2010.

West half of south wall of atrium, with niche and small doorway to room (cupboard or repository) that would have been under the stairs.

Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

I.2.24 Pompeii. 1935 photo taken by Tatiana Warscher.

Looking towards south wall of atrium, with niche and doorway to understairs area.

See Warscher T., 1935. Codex Topographicus Pompeianus: Regio I.2. (no.45), Rome: DAIR, whose copyright it remains.

According to Boyce, on the south side of the atrium was the lararium.

Above an arched niche was painted a cylindrical altar (tripod according to Fiorelli) with a Genius pouring a libation.

Standing beside him was the tibicen and to the left was a Lar. The Lar on the right was not preserved.

Below the niche were the two serpents.

On the wall on each side of the niche was painted a large dog?

The one on the left was poorly preserved but was seen to be lying down, while the one on the right was opening his mouth wide.

From the hindquarters of this second dog there projected horizontally the upper half of the body of a man.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.23, no.16 and Pl.2,2)

See Sogliano, A., 1879. Le pitture murali campane scoverte negli anni 1867-79. Napoli: Giannini. (p.17, no.46).

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2010.

Looking east into space in small room below the stairs. Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2018. Niche on south wall of atrium. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2018. Detail of niche on south wall. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2010. Detail of niche on south wall. Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

I.2.24 Pompeii. December 2006. South wall of atrium, with niche for the Penates. 

Originally one would have seen a painting of the usual serpents, two Lares, and the Genius sacrificing.

At the sides of the niche were two quadrupeds, one of which was perhaps a wolf. Today only the niche remains.

See Pappalardo, U., 2001. La Descrizione di Pompei per Giuseppe Fiorelli (1875). Napoli: Massa Editore. (p.37)

I.2.24 Pompeii. December 2006. Niche in atrium.

According to Boyce, on the south side of the atrium was the lararium.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.23, no.16 and Pl.2,2)

I.2.24 Pompeii. December 2006. Detail of niche at top of arch.

I.2.24 Pompeii. September 2018. Detail of remaining painted decoration at top of arch. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

I.5 Pompeii, on left. September 2005.             Vicolo del Conciapelle looking west.                         Wall of I.2.24, on right.

In Codex Topographicus Pompeianus: Regio I.2, (the copy at DAIR), Warscher included Viola’s description of the insula, from

Gli scavi di Pompei dal 1873 al 1878, p.10 (Pompei e la regione sotterrata dal Vesuvio nell’anno 1879, Seconda parte).

This is included at the end in all parts of I.2 on the website.

“Nel dicembre del 1873 incomminciò lo scavo di questa isola – quale dovette essere abitata da moltissime persone. Infatti non si vede grande lusso di abitazioni, nè grandi locali, ove i ricchi pompeiani passavano la vita nell’ozio e nel piacere; si può invece osservare grand’economia di spazio, case piccole miste a botteghe e ad officine, onde non è difficile argomentare che quivi abitarono persone del ceto medio, le quali benchè agiate non godevano certamente della più splendide posizione.

E’ questa un’isola dove avennero frequentissime trasformazioni, per cui riesce difficillissimo intravvedere qual’era la sua forma primiera; non mancano però degli avanzi di costruzioni primitive, insieme ad altri di epoca posteriore, come si osserva in molti luoghi di Pompei.

La sua area è di mq.2948, ed è limitata da occidente dal cardo, a settentrione dalla via secunda, ad oriente dal vico parallelo al cardo e a mezzogiorno dalla via tertia che la separa dalle isole 1 e 5; il margine che la fiancheggia da tre lati escluso l’orientale e sulla via tertia di fronte al vano No.28 si vede un piccolo ponte, formato da massi posti a contrasto, il quale serve per unire i due margine (vedi la fotografia no.42c)”.

(Note: this photo can also be seen at I.5.1, I.2.28 and in the “streets” section under Vicolo del Conciapelle). 

See Warscher T., 1935. Codex Topographicus Pompeianus: Regio I.2. Rome: DAIR.

(translation: "In December of 1873 the excavation of this insula began – which would have been inhabited by many people. In fact you don't see great luxury homes, nor large rooms, where rich Pompeian passed life in idleness and pleasure; if you instead look at the great economy of space, small homes and shops mixed with workshops, it's not difficult to argue that here lived people in the middle class, which however well-to-do they certainly did not enjoy the most splendid position.

This was an insula, where there were frequent transformations, for which it is difficult to glimpse what was the original form; it does not lack however, the remains of primitive constructions, alongside others of a later date, as can be seen in many places in Pompeii.

Its area was 2948 sq. m., and was bounded on the west by the “cardo”, on the north by via secunda, and east by a parallel vicolo to the “cardo” and in the south by the via tertia, that separated it from Insula’s 1 and 5:  the border that flanked it by three sides excluding the east and on via tertia opposite No. 28, you will see a small bridge, formed by a boulder placed to serve to unite the two edges, (see photo No. 42 c)."

Part 1