More than a century after the discovery of the famous Villa of the Mysteries, a new large-scale pictorial work has emerged from the excavations at the archaeological site of Pompeii, shedding light on the enigmatic Dionysian rituals of the classical world. In a recently uncovered banquet hall in Regio IX of the ancient Roman city, a monumental fresco depicting a thiasos or procession of Dionysus has been found, featuring nearly life-sized figures.
This impressive discovery consists of a frieze extending along three of the room’s walls, while the fourth side was open to a garden. The images portrayed depict vibrant scenes from the retinue of the god of wine: dancing maenads and fierce huntresses, satyrs with pointed ears playing musical instruments, and figures performing libations in acrobatic poses.
At the center of the composition, the image of a woman accompanied by an elderly Silenus holding a torch stands out, suggesting that she is an initiate in the mysteries of Dionysus. These ceremonies, characteristic of the mystery cults of Antiquity, promised their followers a new life both on earth and in the afterlife.
One of the most fascinating aspects of this frieze is that the figures appear to be placed on pedestals, as if they were statues, yet their gestures, tones, and garments imbue them with extraordinary dynamism. Due to this peculiarity, archaeologists have named the residence where the fresco is located the House of the Thiasos.
The frieze has been attributed to the Second Style of Pompeian painting, dated between 40 and 30 B.C., indicating that by the time of the eruption of Vesuvius in A.D. 79, this work was already about a century old.
The presence of this frieze in Pompeii has been compared to the famous Megalography of the Mysteries in the Villa of the Mysteries, one of the most iconic representations of the Dionysian cult. However, the new discovery incorporates an additional element: hunting. This theme is reflected not only in the images of the huntress maenads but also in a secondary frieze, located above the main one, which depicts scenes of both living and dead animals, including a deer, a disemboweled wild boar, and various birds and seafood.
The discovery has been deemed historic by Italy’s Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli, who highlighted its importance for better understanding the mystery rituals of the ancient world.
The Italian government has reinforced its commitment to archaeological research in Pompeii, recently allocating 33 million euros for excavations, restorations, and site enhancement.
The director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, has emphasized the profound symbolism of the discovered images, linking them to the representation of women in Antiquity.
According to his statements, the maenads expressed a duality between women subjected to social norms and those who found liberation in a mystical and wild frenzy. In this context, the frieze would serve not only as a decorative element for banquets but also as an evocation of the cultural and religious tensions of the time.
Excavations in Regio IX of Pompeii began in February 2023 and have uncovered not only this impressive hall but also other significant structures, such as a laundry, a bakery, and a thermal complex. It is expected that restoration and conservation efforts will allow for the future permanent opening of this area to the public.
In the meantime, visitors can access guided tours of the excavation site by reservation to witness firsthand this new testament to the artistic and religious splendor of pre-Roman Pompeii.
SOURCES
- Share on:
Discover more from LBV Magazine English Edition
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Archaeologists Discover a Roman Castellum on the Banks of the Danube, the First Found in Austria
For the first time, an archaeological investigation has conclusively documented the existence of a brückenkopfkastell—a Roman auxiliary outpost castle erected at a strategic river crossing point—on Austrian soil. The discovery,…
Prehistoric Sun Protection: How Homo sapiens Survived the Planet’s Magnetic Reversal 41,000 Years Ago
A recent study led by the University of Michigan suggests that Homo sapiens who inhabited Europe around 41,000 years ago may have survived a period of intense solar radiation thanks…
Magenta, the Color Born from a Battle
The history of colors is intertwined with the evolution of humanity, reflecting scientific advances, cultural conquests, and historical moments that have left an indelible mark on our perception of the…
This Is How Humans Managed to Make Fire During the Ice Age Glaciation
For millennia, fire has been considered an essential element for human survival: it not only provided warmth in hostile climates but also enabled food cooking, tool-making, and even served as…
A Celtic Iron Age Necropolis Found in France Without Human Remains but With Complete Swords in Their Sheaths and Other Treasures
At the top of the archaeological site of Creuzier-le-Neuf, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, a team from the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) has uncovered an extensive necropolis dated…
Ancient Inscriptions, Heraldic Shields, and Drawings Deciphered in the Cenacle of Jerusalem Built by the Crusaders
An international team of researchers has succeeded in identifying and analyzing dozens of medieval graffiti in one of Christianity’s holiest sites, the Cenacle of Jerusalem, the place where tradition says…
The Military Secrets of Urartu: How a Forgotten Kingdom Challenged the Mighty Assyrian Empire
In the mountains of eastern Anatolia, during the Iron Age between the 9th and 6th centuries BC, a kingdom arose that challenged one of the greatest powers of its time:…
Maximator, the intelligence alliance formed by five European countries that ended up being spied on by their own machines
Military alliances are interstate political agreements signed to achieve common defense. They have existed since Antiquity (remember, for instance, the leagues formed by the Greek city-states), and although their most…
Roman Sculpture Head Found at the Tombe di Via Latina, Reused in the Foundations of a Christian Basilica
A spectacular stone head, possibly representing a bearded male deity, has been discovered in the archaeological area of the Tombe di Via Latina in Rome, during excavations at the Basilica…
Secrets of Neo-Assyrian Writing Tablets Uncovered: Beeswax and Toxic Pigments
A recent study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science has revealed the materials and techniques used in the production of writing tablets from the Neo-Assyrian Empire, found in the…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
