Eumachia building, Ancient Roman commercial building in Pompeii, Italy
The Eumachia building is an ancient Roman commercial structure in Pompeii, distinguished by a marble frieze above its entrance and two apses with rectangular niches on its facade. Inside, a central courtyard features a two-story colonnade, and corridors connect to the Via dell'Abbondanza in the eastern section of the Forum.
Built during the reign of Emperor Tiberius, this structure served as headquarters for wool and cloth manufacturers, funded by the priestess Eumachia. It demonstrates how private wealth was directed toward public purposes in Roman times.
Inside, inscriptions show how wealthy women in ancient Rome could exercise influence through public donations and religious positions. The walls tell the story of Eumachia herself, a priestess who used this building to display her power and wealth.
The site is easily accessed as part of a walk through the eastern side of the Forum, and its proximity to the Via dell'Abbondanza makes it convenient to combine with nearby attractions. The central courtyard with its columns provides shade and a quiet spot to take in the overall layout.
The building incorporated a small basin at its center used for urine collection, as this substance was essential for bleaching wool in ancient times. This practice was completely normal in the ancient world and reveals how production processes were directly linked to sanitary facilities.
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