Casa del Menandro, Ancient Roman domus in Pompei, Italy
Casa del Menandro is a large Roman house in Pompeii covering more than a thousand square meters with rooms organized around a central atrium. The residence includes a peristyle garden, private baths, and service quarters arranged in a logical layout typical of wealthy homes.
The house was built in the early third century BCE and underwent major renovations during Emperor Augustus's reign. Its residents belonged to a family connected to Nero's wife through marriage, reflecting their high standing in Roman society.
The painted walls depict scenes from the life of the Greek poet Menander and moments from the fall of Troy that decorated the rooms. Visitors can observe these ancient artworks and understand what kinds of imagery mattered to wealthy Romans who lived here.
The residence is clearly separated into public and private areas, with a formal entrance where clients would have waited. The different rooms are well-defined and show how the owners organized their daily spaces and activities.
Archaeologists discovered over a hundred silver vessels and a wooden chest filled with gold objects buried beneath the private baths. This cache reveals how wealthy residents hid their most precious possessions for safekeeping.
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