Dyer, Thomas Henry: The ruins of Pompeii: a series of eighteen photographic views : with an account of the destruction of the city, and a description of the most interesting remains (London: Bell & Daldy, 1867)

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THE RUINS OF POMPEII.

merely by its circular form. But, even allowing that this was a temple
at all, other deities beside Vesta had round temples, and all the accessories
of the building seem in the highest degree inappropriate to the vestal
worship. It appears more probable that the building was dedicated to the
worship of Augustus. The chambers and sediculse at the further side of the
building contained statues of members of the imperial family, and one no
doubt of Augustus himself, to which may have belonged the fragment
discovered of an arm holding a globe. The Augustals, or priests of
Augustus, were a distinguished body, or corporation, at Pompeii, as is
evident from the frequent mention of them in inscriptions, and such a build-
ing as the present would have been a suitable place for their meetings and
festivals. Such corporations, whether priestly or otherwise, are never averse
to good living; and the numerous paintings of eatables and delicacies round




FROM THE PAINTINGS ON THE WALLS OF THE PANTHEON.