A new treasure re-emerges from Pompeii : the excavation works underway in insula 10 of Regio IX have in fact revealed an internal environment composed of an imposing banquet hall and elegant black walls, decorated with mythological subjects inspired by the Trojan War.
A refined environment in which to spend convivial moments, between banquets and conversations , where one can breathe the high standard of living demonstrated by the spaciousness of the space, the presence of frescoes and mosaics attributable to the III style, the artistic quality of the paintings and the choice of subjects.
«Pompeii - underlines the Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano - is truly a treasure chest that never ceases to surprise us and arouse amazement because, every time we dig, we find something beautiful and significant. We must move forward in the protection of this important site but also in its valorisation."
The dominant theme in the hall seems to be that of heroism, both for the depictions of couples of heroes and divinities linked to the Trojan War, but also for the reference to fate and at the same time to the possibility that man has of being able to change the own destiny. In addition to Helen and Paris, indicated in a Greek inscription between the two figures with the name 'Alexandros', the figure of Cassandra, daughter of Priam, paired with Apollo appears on the walls of the hall.
The hall measures approximately 15 by 6 meters and opens into a courtyard which appears to be an open-air service hallway, with a long staircase leading to the first floor, devoid of decoration. Under the arches of the staircase an enormous pile of construction material was found set aside. Someone had drawn in charcoal, on the rough plaster of the arches of the great staircase, two pairs of gladiators and what appears to be a stylized phallus.
The excavation in the area so far has revealed two houses connected to each other, a house with a bakery and a fullonica (laundry). Behind these two houses, sumptuous frescoed living rooms are emerging in this phase of excavations, which were also involved in major renovations at the time of the eruption.
(Unioneonline)