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

94 POMPEIANA.

In this corridor was found a great num-
ber of lamps, perhaps more than five hun-
dred, but above one thousand were dis-
covered in the whole circuit of the baths, of
which it is said the workmen were ordered
to make a general destruction after the best
had been selected.

These lamps were generally of common
terra cotta, and some of them had the im-
pression of the figures of the Graces, and
others of Harpocrates, of moderate execu-
tion. Atheneeus, B. XV., says that the lamps
in baths were of brass, and distinguished by
names expressive of the number of burners,
such as monomixi, dimixi, trimixi, and po-
lymixi; but the authors who have written
on the subject seem to speak always of build-
ings and customs on a scale of magnificence
too extravagant to guide us in the explana-
tion of the Pompeian thermae.

Some attention had been paid to the de-
coration of this passage, the ceiling being
covered with stars.

In the room 17, those who frequented
the thermae for the purpose of bathing met,
whether they entered by the portico, or from