DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61387#0135
TEE RUINS OF POMPEII. 79
peristyle of the house of Holconius. This house is among the more recent
excavations, having been finally cleared in 1861, though some of the shops
at its sides were discovered at a very early period. It stands at the corner
of the Street of the Holconii and that of the Theatres, its principal entrance
being in the former.
As we can give no ground-plan of the house, it would be wearisome to
enter into a detail of all its parts, and we shall therefore confine ourselves to
those adjacent to the peristyle. The tablinum stood just in front of the
columns seen in the foreground of the view. It affords a normal example of
that apartment, being entirely open towards the atrium, but capable of being
shut on the side towards the peristyle by sliding doors of wood, of the jambs
of which remains may still be seen fixed to the wall with iron cramps. The
floor was of pounded brick incrusted with small pieces of marble, while the
walls were adorned with paintings now almost destroyed. Among them may
be recognized a representation of the story of Luna and Endymion, and Leda
with a nest full of children. Near the tablinum was found a skeleton, sup-
posed to be that of the lady of the house, who seems to have been endeavour-
ing to make her escape with her treasures, but was here overwhelmed and
prostrated in death. She had with her a box containing her valuables;
among which the most remarkable is a necklace composed of various amulets.
She had also with her several small locks. Three more skeletons were found
in different parts of the building. There were also discovered small glass
bottles for perfumes, and essences, and other articles.
Before the tablinum stood two detached columns as shown in the view.
The remainder of the colonnade of the peristyle surrounded a xystus, or
flower garden, in the middle of which is a small square piscina, or basin,
between six and seven feet deep. In the centre is a pillar supporting a
round marble table, from the middle of which rose a jet-deau. On the
further side of the garden is another fountain, consisting of a boy, sculptured
in white marble, standing on a pedestal, having under one arm a goose,
whilst, from a vase held in the other, the water flowed down a little staircase
in front of the pedestal. Water also spirted from pipes in several of the
columns at a height of about four feet from the ground, falling into a toler-
ably broad channel, or gutter, which ran round the garden. Thus was
presented quite a little system of waterworks, which in warm weather, com-
bined with the colours and scent of the flowers, must have had a delightfully
refreshing effect. In the walls of the piscina, are eight iron hooks, meant
peristyle of the house of Holconius. This house is among the more recent
excavations, having been finally cleared in 1861, though some of the shops
at its sides were discovered at a very early period. It stands at the corner
of the Street of the Holconii and that of the Theatres, its principal entrance
being in the former.
As we can give no ground-plan of the house, it would be wearisome to
enter into a detail of all its parts, and we shall therefore confine ourselves to
those adjacent to the peristyle. The tablinum stood just in front of the
columns seen in the foreground of the view. It affords a normal example of
that apartment, being entirely open towards the atrium, but capable of being
shut on the side towards the peristyle by sliding doors of wood, of the jambs
of which remains may still be seen fixed to the wall with iron cramps. The
floor was of pounded brick incrusted with small pieces of marble, while the
walls were adorned with paintings now almost destroyed. Among them may
be recognized a representation of the story of Luna and Endymion, and Leda
with a nest full of children. Near the tablinum was found a skeleton, sup-
posed to be that of the lady of the house, who seems to have been endeavour-
ing to make her escape with her treasures, but was here overwhelmed and
prostrated in death. She had with her a box containing her valuables;
among which the most remarkable is a necklace composed of various amulets.
She had also with her several small locks. Three more skeletons were found
in different parts of the building. There were also discovered small glass
bottles for perfumes, and essences, and other articles.
Before the tablinum stood two detached columns as shown in the view.
The remainder of the colonnade of the peristyle surrounded a xystus, or
flower garden, in the middle of which is a small square piscina, or basin,
between six and seven feet deep. In the centre is a pillar supporting a
round marble table, from the middle of which rose a jet-deau. On the
further side of the garden is another fountain, consisting of a boy, sculptured
in white marble, standing on a pedestal, having under one arm a goose,
whilst, from a vase held in the other, the water flowed down a little staircase
in front of the pedestal. Water also spirted from pipes in several of the
columns at a height of about four feet from the ground, falling into a toler-
ably broad channel, or gutter, which ran round the garden. Thus was
presented quite a little system of waterworks, which in warm weather, com-
bined with the colours and scent of the flowers, must have had a delightfully
refreshing effect. In the walls of the piscina, are eight iron hooks, meant