HOUSE OF THE EPHEBE - POMPEII

This residential complex is situated in a side street of Via dell’Abbondanza, not far from the House of Menander, and actually comprises three building converted into one. It derives its name from the bronze statue of an Ephebe which was found in the house and was used to support oil-lamps needed to light the triclinium couches during evening receptions. Access to the house was through the second entrance-door and a Tuscan atrium which was flanked to the right by the family’s living quarters and, on the left, by the reception room and areas devoted to leisure activities and sport. Here, in addition to a few living-rooms, we find a large open triclinium which was once surrounded by a shaded garden with a fountain whose jets were forced through walls decorated with several wild animals and Nile landscape. Between the atrium and the garden there was a small triclinium with plant decorations in the middle of the floor and a still-life with a basket full of fish on the rear wall. Larger triclinium is situated opposite this wall.

 

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The term amphitheatre is literally defined as the space for the spectators that runs all round the arena. The commemorative inscription attributes its construction to the highest officials in Pompeii, Caius Quintus Valgus and Marcus Portius, who also built the Odeion shortly after the town had acquired the status of Roman colony. The Pompeian Amphitheatre is classed as the oldest of all existing buildings of this kind. To allow easy access, it was built in an area on the outskirts of the town with comparatively few buildings and it was inserted into a corner formed by the town walls in order to make use of the existing embankments on two of its sides. About 20000 peop ... continue

(Apic. 4, 2, 6) Ingredients:

• 1 lb. asparagus
• 1/4 cup wine (rose or vernaccia)
• 1 small onion
• 2 or 3 medium eggs
• Peppercorns
• Lovage
• Coriander
• Savory to taste
• Olive oil
• Liquamen

Instructions:
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Make a puree of asparagus and 1/4 cup of wine, reserving some tips foor a garnish. Bray in a clean mortar the pepper and herbs (quantity your call; half the fun of Roman cookery is the continual tasting and estimating of cumulative effect). Grate the onion or put thro ... 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.