VI.7.23 Pompeii. Domus A. Herenuleius Communis or House of Apollo.

Domus A. or L. Herennuleius Communis. Excavated in 1830s.

Part:    1        2        3        4        5        6        7        8    .

VI.7.23 Pompeii. September 2005. Site of summer triclinium with steps up to cubiculum decorated with mythology of Apollo.

According to E. Winsor Leach, on the north, south and east walls of the cubiculum are a series of paintings identifiable as events in the story of Marsyas. 

3 phases of action on the north wall include Athena’s short-lived essay at flute playing and Marsyas performing before some of the Muses.

On the south wall are figures of Apollo and Olympus separated at the 2 ends of the couch. Finally, we see Marsyas bound to a tree.

The figures are framed within niches that seem to isolate their roles as participants in the drama.

See Leach, E. Winsor, 2004. The Social Life of Painting in Ancient Rome and on the Bay of Naples. Cambridge UK: Cambridge UP, p. 121.

VI.7.23 Pompeii. October 2014. 

Looking west across the site of the summer triclinium to the window and doorway leading into the cubiculum/bedroom.

Photo courtesy of Michael Binns.

VI.7.23 Pompeii. October 2014. Looking through doorway towards west wall.

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

VI.7.23 Pompeii. October 2023. Looking towards west wall. Photo courtesy of Johannes Eber.

VI.7.23 Pompeii. December 2006. Cubiculum decorated with mythology of Apollo. West alcove, looking to west wall.

According to E. Winsor Leach, the scene in the rear alcove has long posed a challenge to identification.

Set in a gabled aedicula intricately patterned with shining gold fretwork, the figure of Apollo enthroned beneath the canopy identifies this setting as the palace of the sun. 

Less certain are the identity of 2 figures, one male and one female, positioned at either side of the god.

The most commonly accepted proposal has been a contest between the Morning and Evening Stars.

Although nothing is wrong with this idea, Moorman has proposed a plausible and more interesting identification as representing Euripides’ tragedy Phaeton, which takes place in Apollo’s palace. 

Several fragments survive from this lost drama, which Wilamovitz reconstructed as centring about a projected marriage between Phaeton and Aphrodite, which Phaeton’s earthly parents, Merops and Clymene, had contrived in exploitation of his semi divine status as Apollo’s son. 

Kenneth Reckford has recently given a new interpretation of the story line in which one of the daughters of Helios will have been substituted for Aphrodite as a bride. 

The reconstructed plot has Phaeton sent to Apollo’s palace to claim his bride whom nonetheless he rejects, asking instead to drive Apollo’s chariot for his proof of paternity.  

The scene on our scaenae frons shows Phaeton confronting his designated bride in Apollo’s throne room.

See Leach, E. Winsor, 2004. The Social Life of Painting in Ancient Rome and on the Bay of Naples. Cambridge UK: Cambridge UP, Fig 80, page 121.

ALCOVE ON SOUTH SIDE

VI.7.23 Pompeii. July 2021.

Looking towards south alcove, east wall. Photo courtesy of Johannes Eber.

VI.7.23 Pompeii. December 2006. Cubiculum. South alcove, east wall.

VI.7.23 Pompeii. October 2023. Cubiculum. Detail from east wall of south alcove. Photo courtesy of Johannes Eber.

VI.7.23 Pompeii. October 2023.

Cubiculum. East wall of south alcove, central figure. Photo courtesy of Johannes Eber.

VI.7.23 Pompeii. October 2023.

Cubiculum, detail of central figure from east wall of south alcove. Photo courtesy of Johannes Eber.

VI.7.23 Pompeii. December 2006. Cubiculum. South alcove, east wall.

According to Caso, this is a male figure in oriental attire. Two male figures lean from balustrades.

See Caso L., in Rivista di Studi Pompeiani III, 1989, p. 112.

VI.7.23 Pompeii. October 2014. South wall of alcove on south side.

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

VI.7.23 Pompeii. December 2006. Cubiculum. Looking towards south alcove, south wall.

VI.7.23 Pompeii. December 2006. Mosaic floor of south alcove in cubiculum.

VI.7.23 Pompeii. December 2006. Cubiculum. South alcove, south wall.

According to Caso, this is a figure coming through a doorway that has two shutters.

See Caso L., in Rivista di Studi Pompeiani III, 1989, p. 112.

VI.7.23 Pompeii. December 2006. Cubiculum. South alcove, south wall. According to Caso, this is Olympus.

See Caso L., in Rivista di Studi Pompeiani III, 1989, p. 112.

VI.7.23 Pompeii. October 2023. Cubiculum. Detail from south alcove, south wall at west end. Photo courtesy of Johannes Eber.

VI.7.23 Pompeii. December 2006. Cubiculum. South alcove, south wall. Female figure leaning from a balcony.

See Caso L., in Rivista di Studi Pompeiani III, 1989, p. 112.

VI.7.23 Pompeii. October 2023.

Cubiculum. South alcove, south wall, detail of Apollo seated. Photo courtesy of Johannes Eber.

VI.7.23 Pompeii. December 2006. Cubiculum. South alcove, south wall. According to Caso, this is Apollo seated.

See Caso L., in Rivista di Studi Pompeiani III, 1989, p. 112.

VI.7.23 Pompeii. Pen and ink drawing by N. La Volpe of seated Apollo from south wall of cubiculum.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number ADS 223.

Photo © ICCD. https://www.catalogo.beniculturali.it

Utilizzabili alle condizioni della licenza Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Condividi allo stesso modo 2.5 Italia (CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 IT)

VI.7.23 Pompeii. October 2023. Stucco decoration on upper west wall of south alcove. Photo courtesy of Johannes Eber.

VI.7.23 Pompeii. July 2021. Looking towards west wall of south alcove. Photo courtesy of Johannes Eber.

VI.7.23 Pompeii. October 2023.

Looking towards west wall of south alcove. Photo courtesy of Johannes Eber.

VI.7.23 Pompeii. December 2006. Cubiculum. South alcove, west wall.

White lower area appears to never have been completed with the painted faux marble.

VI.7.23 Pompeii. December 2006. Cubiculum. South alcove, west wall.

According to Caso this is Marsyas with his hands tied behind his back.

To the left is a male figure looking down from a balustrade.

See Caso L., in Rivista di Studi Pompeiani III, 1989, p. 112.

VI.7.23 Pompeii. October 2023.

Cubiculum. Detail from south alcove, west wall, Marsyas. Photo courtesy of Johannes Eber.

Part:    1        2        3        4        5        6        7        8    .