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

J) Sanctity: On the N and W walls above the ST in KI (e) is a stretch of preserved plaster with a
shrine painting (Fig. 5.102). The painting on the N wall shows two Lares on either side of a
togate, veiled Genius who sacrifices at an altar while holding a cornucopia. On the left of the
scene hangs a large ham. Two serpents flank an altar on the W wall. Fröhlich dates the painting
to the late 3rd style, in keeping with the decoration of the rest of the house. The analogy between
the painted altar and the real stove is clear; cooking and sacrifice are both watched over by the
spirit of the household, who is symbolized in the wall painting. The painted Genius is located on
the 'outside' of the wall for DR•(c), a room probably used by the master as a tablinum, as well as a
dining room. The painted Genius observing the kitchen is parallel to the real Genius (the master)
presiding over the residence from DR•(c).
Synthesis
This small shop-house uses multi-functionality to great advantage in many of its rooms.
Reception and probably dining are concentrated in the two well-decorated rooms DR•(c) and
DR◊{g}, with broad, axial views W onto the Vicolo del Menandro. KI (e), well-placed to serve
both dining areas, contained a dense package of cooking and working areas, water and waste
disposal, as well as the ritual focus of the habitation. The proximity of KI (e) to DR•(c) means
that the latter is easily within the range of smelling the cooking food and hearing the cooking
progress, despite being invisible. The location of the latrine drain, passing under (and eventually
collapsing) the SE corner of DR•(c) implies that in some smaller abodes, it was necessary and
acceptable to juxtapose the elegant and the noisome.
37. I.7.19, Casa annessa alla Casa dell'Efebo, casa media
(Figs. 2.5, 5.4, 5.23, 5.104-5.107)
Synopsis
Originally (in the second century B.C.) this house was two properties, divided
approximately along the line of the E wall of DH•(b). The property on the E was entered via a
doorway at the S end of the E wall of room (i), later blocked up. Bastet & De Vos (28-29) date the
conjunction of these two properties to the Augustan period, based on the affinities in the early
3rd style and quality of decoration in bedrooms (d, f). Many other areas, including DH•(b) and
DI•(e), then underwent redecoration in a later 3rd style, ca. A.D. 35-45. After extensive damage
(attributed to the earthquake of A.D. 62), the house was ceded in its last, post-earthquake phase
to the Casa dell'Efebo at #10-12. During that last period, the house was undergoing extensive
repairs and renovations and was apparently in limited occupancy in A.D. 79. 73
73 A. De Vos' (PPM I, 750-751) summary of this house suggests an alternative chronology. He dates the
decoration in areas (d, e, f, h) all to the early 3rd style, and claims that rooms (a, b, c) were then redecorated
after the earthquake in imitation 3rd style. The difficulty of dating the phasing of this house is recognized
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