HOUSE OF F. RUFUS - POMPEII

This is one of the so-called ‘town villas’ which was built on more than one level (possibly four) against the town walls in the last period of the town’s life. The villa had a fine view over the Gulf of Naples and its interior was entirely decorated in the Pompeian fourth style. The villa itself is the result of the fusion of a number of previously built houses and so, in a tiny room in the central apsidal structure, we can find the remains of second style frescoes, including what appears to be a portrait of the Venus of Pompeii. The side walls in the same area are also decorated with stars and small moon designs, suggesting that the room may have been used for astrology.

 

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This arch is set astride Via di Mercurio, of which it marks the beginning, in front of the Forum Bath and the Temple of Fortuna Augusta, near the intersection where Via delle Terme, Via della Fortuna, Via del Foro and Via di Mercurio cross. This is an honorary arch in brick with a single passage-way and its attribution to Caligula is based on an equestrian statue in bronze, found in fragments, which must have originally been set on the attic and which has been identified as Caligula. The arch was built on the same axis as the arch attributed to Tiberius or Germanicus, which constitutes a monumental entrance to the Civil Forum, and which was also topped by an equestr ... continue

(Apic. 4, 2, 27) Ingredients:

• 1 whole firm-fleshed fish
• 200 ml fish stock
• 30 ml white wine reduced
• Liquamen to taste (or soya sauce)
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 sliced leek
• 1 tsp coriander seeds
• large pinch of black peppercorns
• 1 tsp lovage (or celery seeds)
• 1 tsp chopped fresh oregano
• 2 raw egg yolks
• twist of black pepper

Instructions:
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Fillet the fish and add these to a pot before topping with fish stock, wine, olive oil, liquam ... continue

Love was a common topic of conversation in Pompeii. Feelings, passions, poetic love, sex, homosexuality, prostitution and so forth were all part of daily life and not a source of prejudice. The concept of “obscenity” seems to have been unknown. Love and sex were considered earthly practices of a man’s life that were encouraged by the benevolence of Venus. The thousands of examples of graffiti found on the town’s walls are unequivocal proof of what the people of Pompeii thought about love and sex.