Tiny House Found in Ancient Pompeii Has Erotica All Over the Walls

Pompeii, famously destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, is treasure trove due to its extraordinary state of preservation. One would be forgiven for thinking that everything had been found in the century modern archaeologists have spent excavating the Roman city.

But this would be a mistake, as on October 24th the Pompeii Archaeological Park have announced a new discovery. Nor is this some trinket or overlooked cavity but an entire house along the Via dell’Abbondanza in the heart of the ancient city.

The house itself is unusual, smaller than most typical Roman houses in Pompeii to the point where it even lacks an atrium, the entrance chamber which would ordinarily contain a Roman impluvium for catching and storing rainwater. Researchers believe its absence may offer clues as to changes to Roman society and tastes at the time of the city’s destruction.

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But the real spectacle in this find lies in what is painted on the walls. The Romans often liked to decorate their interiors with detailed frescos, and it would seem that this house is no exception.

The house has been named the House of Phaedra for the large fresco within which depicts the myth of Hippolytus and Phaedra. In the myth, Phaedra is married to Theseus but falls in love with her stepson Hippolytus. 

When he refuses her Phaedra accuses him of rape. Theseus, in despair, prays to Poseidon to kill Hippolytus, and the god duly does so. When Phaedra finds out what has happened, she kills herself.

Hippolytus and Phaedra appear twice in the house, as this was clearly a myth which had some important meaning to the owner. There are also depictions of Venus and Adonis, and a satyr and a nymph depicted in the middle of a sexual encounter.

Elsewhere animals and flowers decorate the walls, adding up to a surprisingly rich interior for such a small building. There is even a domestic altar with a lamp and incense burner still containing the remains of burned aromatic wood. 

Excavation of the area surrounding the house is ongoing, and it is clear that ancient Pompeii still has more secrets to reveal. 

Header Image: The satyr and nymph scene is just one of the beautiful frescoes found in the tiny house in Pompeii. Source: Pompeii Archaeological Park.