Argo's house, Ancient Roman residence in Ercolano, Italy
Argo's house is a Roman residential structure in Herculaneum with multiple rooms arranged around a central peristyle featuring columns and marble decorations throughout. The residence displays the typical layout of a prosperous Roman dwelling with carefully designed interior spaces.
Excavation of this Roman dwelling occurred between 1828 and 1855, revealing remarkably preserved wooden structures and intact upper floors. This preservation allowed researchers rare insight into the vertical layout of Roman houses and their construction methods.
The residence displays refined wall paintings depicting mythological scenes, particularly the story of Io and Argos, from which the house takes its name. These decorations reflect how wealthy Roman families chose to embellish their private living spaces.
The structure is located in the eastern section of Herculaneum and can be accessed through Cardo III, while the western portion remains buried beneath modern buildings. Visitors should know that only the excavated areas are walkable and much of the site lies underneath the contemporary city.
The residence contained numerous preserved food items at discovery, including wheat, spelt, and figs wrapped in laurel leaves. These rare organic finds offer direct evidence of the daily diet and storage methods of the affluent Roman inhabitants.
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