V.1.18 Pompeii. Casa degli Epigrammi Greci or House of the Epigrams.

Linked to V.1.11 and V.1.12. Excavated 1748, 1875 and 1908.

The first rooms were discovered on April 1748 in the beginning of the excavation of Pompeii.

The house was completely brought to light after the 16th November 1875.

We photographed this house whilst it was under restoration and not all rooms were able to be photographed then.

Our thanks to the Swedish Pompeii Project for their tremendous work here and for allowing us to use some of their photographs and reconstructions.

For extra detailed information see Swedish Pompeii Project web site

Part 1      Part 2      Part 3      Part 4      Part 5      Plan

V.1.18 Pompeii. December 2005. Entrance doorway on the east side of Via del Vesuvio.

V.1.18 Pompeii. December 2005. Entrance doorway. Graffiti was found on the pilaster to the left of the doorway, see V.1.17.

On the pilaster on the south side of the doorway, on the right, the following graffiti were found:

Daphnicus cum Felicla sua hic    [CIL IV 4066]

This was scribbled to the right of the entrance and translates as “Daphnicus was here with his Felicula”

According to Varone, another graffito, possibly by or for this same couple, was found near the doorway of house VI.13.19 [CIL IV 4477]

See Varone, A., 2002. Erotica Pompeiana: Love Inscriptions on the Walls of Pompeii, Rome: L’erma di Bretschneider. (p.46)

According to Della Corte, found on the same pilaster (to the right) was:

Popidium  Secundum

aed(ilem)  d(ignum)  r(ei)  p(ublicae)  probissimum  iuvenem  o(ro)  v(os)  f(aciatis)

Rufine  fave  et  ille  te  faciet      [CIL IV 3409]

See Della Corte, M., 1965. Case ed Abitanti di Pompei. Napoli: Fausto Fiorentino. (p.99)

V.1.18 Pompeii. October 2019. Entrance corridor “a”, looking east from entrance doorway.

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

V.1.18 Pompeii. November 2012. Entrance corridor “a”. Photo Wikimedia, Courtesy of author Mentnafunangann.

Use subject to a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported Licence

V.1.18 Pompeii. March 2009. Entrance corridor “a”. 

V.1.18 Pompeii. 1882 painting of floor with colourful marble stones. Entrance corridor “a”.

In the gently sloping hallway or ostium (a) a pretty floor was made by sprinkling coloured marble chips in red screed.

See Presuhn E., 1882. Pompeji: Die Neuesten Ausgrabungen von 1874 bis 1881. Leipzig: Weigel. Abtheilung II, Taf III upper.

V.1.18 Pompeii. September 2004. Entrance corridor “a”, looking east to atrium “b”. 

V.1.18 Pompeii. October 2019. Looking across impluvium in atrium “b” and towards tablinum “g”, and through to peristyle garden. 

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

V.1.18 Pompeii. May 2005. Looking across atrium “b” and impluvium from entrance corridor “a”. 

V.1.18 Pompeii. November 2012. Looking east across atrium “b” to tablinum “g”.

Photo Wikimedia, Courtesy of author Mentnafunangann.

Use subject to a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported Licence

V.1.18 Pompeii. May 2012. Looking east across atrium “b” to tablinum “g”. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

V.1.18 Pompeii. May 2012. Looking south across impluvium in atrium. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

V.1.18 Pompeii. c.2008. Impluvium in atrium. Photo by Hans Thorwid. 

Photo courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. December 2007. Looking east across atrium to tablinum “g” and room “f”.

According to Mau, there were large red panels, divided by narrow black strips each containing a yellow candelabra.

In the centre each red panel was a medallion with the bust of a divinity.

There were originally seven medallions with busts of gods and goddesses, but one had vanished.

The execution was not diligent, but with enough skill to look good for those who do not look too closely.

At the top were black outlined rectangles on a white background with second rectangle with red lines inside each.

See Bullettino dell’Instituto di Corrispondenza Archeologica (DAIR), 1877, p. 20.

V.1.18 Pompeii. 1964.

Looking east across atrium “b” and through tablinum “g” towards peristyle “i”. 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.

J64f0901

V.1.18 Pompeii. 1964.

Looking east across north side of atrium “b” towards corridor “h” to peristyle “i”, on left, and tablinum “g”.

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.

J64f0900

V.1.18 Pompeii. 1882 copy of wall decoration in atrium “b”.

See Presuhn E., 1882. Pompeji: Die Neuesten Ausgrabungen von 1874 bis 1881. Leipzig: Weigel. Abtheilung II, Taf IV (right).

According to Presuhn, “The vast atrium makes even now an imposing appearance, even if no longer in the manner as after excavation, when all the walls glistened in fresh vibrant colours. Between broad red wall panels are black intermediate fields, with painted slender Candelabrum containing pendant coral necklaces. and carrying vases or finished with crowns, (Plate IV right). In the midst of the great fields busts of 7 gods, in medallion form, are painted with natural fresh vigorous expression. In the centre, over the impluvium, the atrium was open, but all around covered by the inward-sloped roofs which rested on four intersecting beams (an atrium tuscanicum).”

Das weite Atrium macht noch jetzt einen imposanten Eindruck, wenn auch nicht mehr in dem Maasse wie nach der Ausgrabung: als alle Wände in frischen lebhaften Farben erglänzten. Zwischen breiten rothen Wandfeldern sind schwarze Zwischenfelder, mit gemalten schlanken CandeIabern, an denen Korallenketten hängen. und welche

Vasen tragen oder mit Kronen abschliessen,(Tafel IV rechts). Inmitten der grossen Felder sind in Medaillonform die Büsten von 7 Gottern mit naturfrischem kräftigem Ausdruck gemalt. In der Mitte, über dem lmpluvium, war das Atrium offen, ringsum aber bedeckt, indem die nach innen geneigten Dächer auf vier sich kreuzenden Balken ruhten (atrium tuscanicum).

See Presuhn E., 1882. Pompeji: Die Neuesten Ausgrabungen von 1874 bis 1881. Leipzig: Weigel. Abtheilung II.

V.1.18 Pompeii. Atrium “b”. Drawing of medallion painting with bust of Hermes/Mercury with petasus and caduceus.

DAIR 83.26. Photo © Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Abteilung Rom, Arkiv.

See http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/marbilder/5022202

Found on the entrance wall, right of the fauces (from in the atrium).

See Bullettino dell’Instituto di Corrispondenza Archeologica (DAIR), 1877, p. 19.

V.1.18 Pompeii. Atrium “b”. Drawing of medallion painting with bust of Athena/Minerva with helmet, shield and lance.

DAIR 83.27. Photo © Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Abteilung Rom, Arkiv.

See http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/marbilder/5022203

Found on the entrance wall, left of the fauces (from in the atrium).

See Bullettino dell’Instituto di Corrispondenza Archeologica (DAIR), 1877, p. 20.

V.1.18 Pompeii. Atrium “b”. Drawing of medallion painting with bust of Hera/Juno wearing tiara and veil.

DAIR 83.25. Photo © Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Abteilung Rom, Arkiv.

See http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/marbilder/5022201

Found on the entrance wall, left of the fauces and left of Minerva (from in the atrium).

See Bullettino dell’Instituto di Corrispondenza Archeologica (DAIR), 1877, p. 20.

V.1.18 Pompeii. Atrium “b”. Drawing of medallion painting with bust of Ares/Mars with helmet and lance.

DAIR 83.23. Photo © Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Abteilung Rom, Arkiv.

See http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/marbilder/5022199

Found on the right wall, at the right end.

See Bullettino dell’Instituto di Corrispondenza Archeologica (DAIR), 1877, p. 20.

V.1.18 Pompeii. Atrium “b”. Drawing of medallion painting with bust of Hephaestus/Vulcan with beard.

His hair is like it has been blown in the wind. His head is covered by a pilos (felt cap).

DAIR 83.24. Photo © Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Abteilung Rom, Arkiv.

See http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/marbilder/5022200

Found on the right wall, at the centre.

See Bullettino dell’Instituto di Corrispondenza Archeologica (DAIR), 1877, p. 20.

V.1.18 Pompeii. Atrium “b”. Drawing of medallion painting with bust of Aphrodite/Venus. Badly destroyed.

She has blonde hair and wears a thin gold band with green diamond shaped stone on the front.

DAIR 83.22. Photo © Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Abteilung Rom, Arkiv.

See http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/marbilder/5022198

Found on the right wall, at the left end.

See Bullettino dell’Instituto di Corrispondenza Archeologica (DAIR), 1877, p. 20.

V.1.18 Pompeii. c.2008.

Looking west from tablinum “g” towards north-west corner of atrium. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

Photo courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. c.2008. West wall in south-west corner of atrium. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

Photo courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. c.2008.

West wall in north-west corner of atrium. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

Photo courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. 2012. North wall and north-west corner of atrium. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

Photo courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. c.2005-2008. North wall and north-west corner of atrium, before restoration. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

Photo courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. December 2007. Doorway to small room “c” on north side of atrium.

V.1.18 Pompeii. 2012. Room “c”. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

“South wall in 2012.

Restored parts of the wall photographed and merge with the lower part and floor line of earlier photos from 2005-07.”

Photo and words courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. c.2005-2008. Room “c”.

South wall before restoration. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

Photo courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. 2012. Room “c”. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

“West wall in 2012.

Restored parts of the wall photographed and merge with the lower part and floor line of earlier photos from 2005-07.”

Photo and words courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. c.2005-2008.  Room “c”.

West wall before restoration. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

Photo courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. 2012. Room “c”. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

“North wall in 2012.

Restored parts of the wall photographed and merge with the lower part and floor line of earlier photos from 2005-07.”

Photo and words courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. c.2005-2008. Room “c”.  

North wall before restoration. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

Photo courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. 2012. Room “c”. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

“East wall in 2012. Restored parts of the wall photographed and merge with the lower part and floor line of earlier photos from 2005-07.”

Photo and words courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. c.2005-2008.  Room “c”.

East wall before restoration. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

Photo courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. 2012. Room “d”. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

“South wall in 2012. Restored parts of the wall photographed and merge with the lower part and floor line of earlier photos from 2005-07.”

Photo and words courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. c.2005-2008.  Room “d”.

South wall before restoration. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

Photo courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. c.2005-2008.  Room “d”.

South wall, detail of area between doorway and window. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

Photo courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. 2012. Room “d”. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

“West wall in 2012. Restored parts of the wall photographed and merge with the lower part and floor line of earlier photos from 2005-07.”

Photo and words courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. c.2005-2008. Room “d”.

West wall before restoration. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

Photo courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii.2012. Room “d”. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

“North wall in 2012. Restored parts of the wall photographed and merge with the lower part and floor line of earlier photos from 2005-07.”

Photo and words courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. December 2007. North wall of cubiculum “d” on north side of atrium.

V.1.18 Pompeii. Copy of wall painting of krater and hydria from cubiculum “d”.

DAIR 83.28 Photo © Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Abteilung Rom, Arkiv.

See http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/marbilder/5022204

V.1.18 Pompeii. c.2005-2008. Looking north towards ala “e”. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

Photo courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. 2012. Ala “e”, west wall. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

“West wall in 2012. Restored parts of the wall photographed and merge with the lower part and floor line of earlier photos from 2005-07.”

Photo and words courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. c.2012.

Detail from west wall of Ala “e”. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

Photo courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. c.2012.

North wall of Ala “e”. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

“Restored parts of the wall photographed and merge with the lower part and floor line of earlier photos from 2005-07.”

Photo and words courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. c.2005-2008.  

East wall of Ala “e” and corridor “h” to peristyle “i”. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

Photo courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. c.2005-2008.  Doorway threshold at west end of corridor “h”. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

Photo courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. December 2007. East wall of Ala “e” on north side of atrium and corridor “h” to peristyle “i”.

V.1.18 Pompeii. 1882. Decorative figures. Top two cubiculum “d”. Bottom two ala “e”

According to Presuhn;

“The small room on the left “c” with raw limestone walls was the cell of the doorkeeper.

The following room is a bedroom “d” with decoration in the third style; large yellow wall panels in the middle of which vessels and animals are painted were divided by white panels; the upper wall also had a white background.

See Presuhn E, 1877. Die pompejanischen Wanddecorationen. Leipzig: Weigel, p. 14,Tafel V.

Similarly, the Ala “e” decoration is of the red areas, we have also reproduced on Plate V two animal figures. The goat and yet another nearby were painted in a masterly manner; With the hares the incised stucco contours can be recognized. In this Ala the silverware of the master of the house, and a fine fabric made from gold, that had perhaps formed a purse, was found.”

See Presuhn E, 1877. Die pompejanischen Wanddecorationen. Leipzig: Weigel, p. 27, Tafel V.

„Das kleine Zimmer links (b=“c“) mit rohen Kalkwänden war die Zelle des Türhüters. Es folgt ein Schlafzimmer (c=“d“) mit Decoration im Stil der dritten Epoche (vgl. Presuhn Wanddecorationen p. 14); grosse gelbe Wandfelder, in deren Mitte Gefässe und Thiere gemalt sind Tafel V. werden von weissen Zwischenfeldern durch brochen; die Oberwand hat ebenfalls weissen Grund.

See Presuhn E, 1877. Die pompejanischen Wanddecorationen. Leipzig: Weigel, p. 14, Tafel V.

Aehnlich ist die AIa (d=“e“) decoriert. von deren rothen Feldern wir auch auf Tafel V zwei Thierfiguren wiedergegeben haben. Der Ziegenbock und noch ein anderer ihm gegenüber waren in meisterhafter Weise gemalt; bei dem Hasen kann man die in den Stuck eingeritzten Contouren erkennen (vgl. Pr. Wanddec. p. 27;. In dieser Ala wurde das Silbergerät des Hausherrn, sowie ein feines Gewebe aus GoId, das vielleicht eine Geldbörse gebildet hatte, gefunden.“

See Presuhn E, 1877. Die pompejanischen Wanddecorationen. Leipzig: Weigel, p. 27, Tafel V.

See Presuhn E., 1882. Pompeji: Die Neuesten Ausgrabungen von 1874 bis 1881. Leipzig: Weigel. Abtheilung II, Taf V.

V.1.18 Pompeii. Copy of wall paintings of goat and a dog chasing a hare, from Ala “e”.

DAIR 83.29 Photo © Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Abteilung Rom, Arkiv.

See http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/marbilder/5022205

V.1.18 Pompeii.  Bowl decorated with silver and copper. Found in ala “e”.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 111040.

V.1.18 Pompeii. Set of four silver plates and cups. Found in the ala “e”. Now in Naples Archaeological Museum.

Four silver cups with short conical bodies. Inventory numbers 110846, 110847, 110848, 110849.

Four silver plates with 5 petal rosettes in the centre. Inventory numbers 110842, 110843, 110844, 110845.

V.1.18 Pompeii. Silver found in the ala “e”. Now in Naples Archaeological Museum.

Top left to bottom right:-

Three small saucers with traces of gilding. Inventory numbers 110850, 110851, 110852.

Round gilded base. Inventory number 110865.

Three round conical bodied cups. Inventory numbers 110853, 110854, 110855.

Four spoons (cochlearia). Inventory numbers 110857, 110858, 110859, 110860.

V.1.18 Pompeii. Silver found in the ala “e”. Now in Naples Archaeological Museum.

Top left to bottom right:-

Two shell pattern containers. Inventory numbers 110863 and 110864

Between them are two strigili joined by a ring. Inventory number 110862.

Concave circular mirror with handle. Inventory number 110861.

Container with cylindrical neck. Inventory number 110841.

V.1.18 Pompeii. Silver found in the ala “e”. Two silver strigili joined by a ring.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 110862.

V.1.18 Pompeii. c.2005-2008.   

Doorway to corridor “h”, looking east leading to peristyle “i”. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

Photo courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. 1964.

East wall of ala “e”, and doorway to corridor “h” leading to peristyle “i”. 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.

J64f0899

V.1.18 Pompeii. c.2005-2008.  Photo by Hans Thorwid

Looking west through corridor “h” to ala “e” on north side of atrium “b”.

The doorway in the north wall leads into a triclinium, room “l” (L).

Photo courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. c.2005-2008.  Doorway threshold at east end of corridor “h”. Photo by Hans Thorwid.

Photo courtesy of The Swedish Pompeii Project.

V.1.18 Pompeii. December 2007.

Looking west through corridor “h” to ala “e” on north side of atrium “b”.

Part 2      Part 3      Part 4      Part 5      Plan