VI.13.19 Pompeii. House of Pompeius Axiochus.

Linked to VI.13.12. Excavated 1874.

 

VI.13.19 Pompeii. September 2005. Vicolo del Labirinto, looking south   

 

VI.13.19 Pompeii. September 2005. Entrance doorway, looking east.

A graffito was found inscribed to the left of the entrance

Hectice  pupe  va(le)  Mercator  tibi  dicit    [CIL IV 4485]

 

This translates as:

Hecticus, my pet, Mercator says hello to you.  [CIL IV 4485]

Varone says Mercator could either have been a name, or meant “the merchant”.

See Varone, A., 2002. Erotica Pompeiana: Love Inscriptions on the Walls of Pompeii, Rome: L’erma di Bretschneider. (p.133)

 

Another graffito found inscribed near the doorway was

 

Daphnicus  cum  Felicula  sua  hac 

Bene  Felicule,  bene  Daphnico

Utriusque  bene  eveniat      [CIL IV 4477]

 

This translates as:

Daphnicus and his Felicula were here.

Long live Felicula ! Long live Daphnicus !

All the best to both of them   [CIL IV 4477]

 

According to Varone, the same couple were also mentioned near the doorway of V.1.18, [CIL IV 4066]

See Varone, A., 2002. Erotica Pompeiana: Love Inscriptions on the Walls of Pompeii, Rome: L’erma di Bretschneider. (p.163)

 

VI.13.19 Pompeii. September 2005. Looking east across atrium.

According to Della Corte, a seal/signet was found with the name (Sex.) Pompeius Axiochus  [CIL X 8058,68]  (S 72, with note 3 on p.62)

Della Corte also thought it very probable that the wife of the owner’s name was Julia Helena, because in this same house were found two wine amphorae.

These were addressed to her with the names -  Iuliae Helenae  [CIL IV 5851]

See Della Corte, M., 1965.  Case ed Abitanti di Pompei. Napoli: Fausto Fiorentino. (p.62)

 

According to Epigraphik-Datenbank Clauss/Slaby (See www.manfredclauss.de), these read as –

 

Iuliae Helenae

Iuliae Helenae      [CIL IV 5851]

 

Pompei

Axiochi                  [CIL X 8058,68]

 

VI.13.19 Pompeii. September 2005. Impluvium in atrium.

 

VI.13.19 Pompeii. September 2005.

Looking east through tablinum towards west portico and garden.

 

VI.13.19 Pompeii. September 2005. Looking south-east across atrium to rooms on south side.

 

VI.13.19 Pompeii. September 2005.

 

VI.13.19 Pompeii. September 2005. Steps to upper floor.

 

VI.13.19 Pompeii. September 2005.

Looking east across garden area towards rear wall, with six niches high up in the wall.

According to Jashemski, the rear wall had an animal painting on the wall, now totally destroyed.

A terracotta statue of a boy was found in one of the niches.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number: 110395.

She also said fragments of a similar statuette was found in another niche, but no further details.

See Jashemski, W. F., 1993. The Gardens of Pompeii, Volume II: Appendices. New York: Caratzas. (p.148 & p.344, no.53)

 

VI.13.19 Pompeii. September 2005. Recess in triclinium.

 

VI.13.19 Pompeii. September 2005. Painted wall decoration.

 

VI.13.19 Pompeii. September 2005. Painted wall decoration.

 

VI.13.19 Pompeii. September 2005. Painted wall decoration.

 

VI.13.19 Pompeii. September 2005. Painted wall decoration.

 

VI.13.19 Pompeii. September 2005. Painted wall decoration.

 

VI.13.19 Pompeii. September 2005. Decorative floor.

 

Pompeii. September 2005. Exterior wall between VI.13.19 and VI.13.20