KITCHENS AND DINING ROOMS AT POMPEII ... - Get a Free Blog

the hot summer sun and potential rain. The elevated position of the loggia over garden (30)
(which slopes away to the S with the topography), would have beckoned evening breezes
sweeping up towards Vesuvius.
H) Installation amenities, ST in (16): An alcove in the NE corner of (16) contains a single-arched
ST (l. 1.35, w. 0.91, h. 0.87 m.) of sub-type (2), built of brick and masonry with a plastered face
(Fig. 5.48). The arch of the ST is repeated in the vaulted ceiling of the alcove 1.9 m. above the
tiled stove-top. Light and ventilation were afforded by the wide windows on the S side of the
loggia, although some smoke would seem to have collected near the vaulted ceiling above the ST.
Water was available from peristyle (12) to the N or garden (30) to the S; no drainage facilities are
evident. The remaining (N) wing of the cryptoporticus, [17], seems to have been used for storage
in this period; ca. seventy amphorae were recovered there -- the area has been identified as a cella
vinaria. Both the latrine and the baths [18-21] off the E wing of the cryptoporticus were filled with
debris and no longer in use in the last period of the house (Fig. 5.50).
Installation amenities, dining areas: No installations or evidence for dining equipment come
from DR◊(5), but (Spinazzola I, 438) and (Beccarini 1922, 10) identify it as a 'triclinium' on their
plans, perhaps because of its suitable proportions. The room perhaps no longer in use during the
last period of the house.
Three masonry couches of the DO occupy the W end of loggia (16), with their open end towards
the E (Figs. 2.46, 5.49). They measure ca. 4.4-4.7 m. long and ca. 1.6-2.0 wide, according to
Soprano. Their top surfaces slope slightly towards their outside edges, and around the inside
edge of the couches is a small sunken ledge for drinks to be set. The couches focus on a round
masonry table 0.55 m. in diameter. The E edges of the lectus summus and the lectus imus are
defined by raised borders, and beyond the borders to the E, dining benches are arranged. Both
sets of benches are L-shaped, and repeat the form of the larger couches; they measure ca. 0.4 m.
high and 0.4 m. wide, and provide a total seating length of 7.23 m. Against the E end of the N set
of benches is a rectangular podium, 1.2 m. long, 0.7 m. wide, and 0.5 m. high. Spinazzola and
subsequent scholars have suggested that the benches were used by children or persons of lower
status; the podium is interpreted as a table for setting food, drink, and table services.
I) Decorative amenities, dining areas: No decoration is recorded or extant in DR◊(5). The floor of
DO/DB (16) was paved with opus signinum that covered the original white mosaic pavement of
the portico. The walls of (16) were plastered and painted in the 4th style with a red socle that was
carried over to coat the dining couches, benches, and table; the faces of the furniture were then
further elaborated with plants, birds and vases.
J) Sanctity: A shrine is present in at the W end of the N portico of peristyle (12), unassociated
with any cooking or dining areas. A bust of Mercury is painted within a small arcuated niche
with a projecting shelf. An altar with entwined snake is painted under the niche, and a large
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