Gell, William: Pompeiana: the topography, edifices and ornaments of Pompeii ; the result of excavations since 1819 ; in two volumes (Band 2) (London, 1832)

98 DESCRIPTION OF

showing they must have intended to speak
of the opening when they use the word im-
pluvium, and consequently the recipient
should be termed the compluvium. The
compluvium of the cava;dium should be, ac-
cording to Vitruvius, not larger than a third
part of the atrium, nor less than a fourth.
This, however, was still less, and the house
must therefore have been somewhat darker
than usual.

The tablinum seems, to our eyes, too
much exposed for comfort; but it was so
called because it could be shut up with
shutters : " quod e tabulis componeretur."

There always seems a difficulty between
the terms atrium and cavaedium, and be-
tween exedra and tablinum; but the tabli-
num was next to the atrium—" Tablinum
proxime atrio locus fuit." Festus.—When
it is said that, in going from the atrium
to the cavaedium, it was necessary to pass
through the tablinum, such description can-
not apply to houses like those of Pompeii,
unless the cavajdium and peristyle were the
same; but Vitruvius, who is not always clear,
must have spoken of houses different from