Recent excavations in the Insula dei Casti Amanti, located in the vibrant central neighborhood of the ancient city of Pompeii, have brought to light a new and fascinating house without an atrium, filled with refined decorations. This discovery offers us a unique opportunity to understand the social and architectural changes Pompeii experienced in the 1st century AD.
The newly discovered structure has been provisionally named the House of Phaedra due to a well-preserved fresco depicting the myth of Hippolytus and Phaedra.
Phaedra, Cretan princess and wife of Theseus, fell in love with her stepson Hippolytus through the work of Aphrodite, who avenged the young man’s disdain for her. Hippolytus rejected Phaedra, and she, scorned, falsely accused him of trying to rape her.
Theseus, enraged, asked Poseidon to punish his son, who died in an accident caused by a sea monster. Artemis revealed the truth about Aphrodite’s manipulation, and father and son reconciled before Hippolytus’ death. In some versions, Phaedra commits suicide when she sees the consequences of her lie.
This residence stands out, not only because of its smaller size but also due to the absence of an atrium, a typical feature in Pompeian houses of the time. Normally, Pompeian houses included an atrium with an impluvium, a basin to collect rainwater, but in this case, a different design was chosen, which may indicate a shift in the lifestyle of the inhabitants of that time.
Interior Decoration, Mythical Symbolism, and Ritual Objects
The walls of this small house feature detailed and colorful decoration in Pompeian Style IV, which rivals that of larger and more luxurious homes.
The walls display mythological scenes of great beauty and symbolism, including a symposium (banquet) between a satyr and a nymph, a scene with the goddess Venus and Adonis, and a deteriorated representation of the Judgment of Paris.
Alongside the fresco of Hippolytus and Phaedra, a window provides a view into a small courtyard that houses a lararium (domestic altar). The lararium is decorated with vegetal and animal motifs on a white background, featuring an eagle holding a palm branch in its claws. At the base of the altar, two snakes encircle the structure, accompanied by offerings in relief, such as pine cones, figs, and dates, possibly symbols of fertility and prosperity.
During the excavations, ritual objects were found inside the lararium, including a ceramic incense burner and a lamp, both bearing visible burn marks, suggesting they were used in domestic rituals before the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD.
Additionally, remnants of aromatic branches and a pair of dried figs were discovered at the base of the altar. The discovery also included colorful marble fragments with Dionysian designs, adding another layer of cultural depth to the space.
The excavation and restoration of the Insula dei Casti Amanti are part of an ambitious archaeological project aimed not only at discovering and preserving but also at bringing these findings closer to the public. To achieve this, the team has implemented a system of elevated walkways, allowing visitors to observe the excavation and restoration process in real-time.
According to the Director of the Archaeological Park, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, this initiative is an example of “public archaeology”, emphasizing the importance of transparency in the archaeological process and fostering a connection between the public and Pompeii’s past.
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