Gell, William: Pompeiana: the topography, edifices and ornaments of Pompeii ; the result of excavations since 1819 ; in two volumes (Band 1) (London, 1832)

POMPEIANA. 35

commonly called the school of fencing. Un-
der the goat is written

m.cAs^vu\zz:fac:

The inscription under this is so ill written
that it is not without difficulty decipher-
able. It is like the celebrated inscription in
the Baths of Titus, except that Venus alone,
of all the divinities of Pompeii, threatens
revenge to the transgressor. The Roman
inscription runs thus:

Duodecim Deos et Dianam et Jovem
Optimum Maximum babeant iratos
Quisquis, &c.

This of Pompeii is " Abiat Venere Pom-
peiiana iratam qui hoc laeserit." It is un-
necessary to remark on the Latinity of this
inscription, in which the principal word
is written rather bompiliajsta than as it
ought to be. The protecting sedile is named
Maeceiltm. The practice of rendering
sacred any spot, either by painting or in-
scription, appears to have been common;
and Persius says, that two serpents painted

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