House of Hippolytus and Phaedra

In the heart of Regio IX of Pompeii, ongoing excavations have revealed a newly discovered residence, provisionally named the House of Hippolytus and Phaedra. This dwelling stands out due to the absence of a traditional atrium, a distinctive feature of Pompeian homes, suggesting an evolution in residential architecture during the 1st century AD.

Despite its modest size, the house is adorned with exceptionally refined wall decorations. Among the frescoes, the most remarkable is a well-preserved depiction of the myth of Hippolytus and Phaedra, from which the domus derives its name. Other painted scenes include an intimate encounter between a satyr and a nymph, a possible representation of Venus and Adonis, and a damaged fresco that might depict the Judgment of Paris.

Adjacent to one of these frescoes, a window opens onto a small inner courtyard, featuring a finely decorated lararium with intricate vegetal and animal motifs on a white background. Inside the lararium, archaeologists have uncovered ritual objects, including a ceramic incense burner and an oil lamp with visible burn marks, clear evidence of the last ritual performed before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

This discovery provides a valuable opportunity to further explore the social and architectural dynamics of 1st-century Pompeii, highlighting how even smaller residences could be adorned with high-quality artistic decorations, reflecting the rich cultural and religious life of the time.