Description of the House (Reg VI, Ins 15, 1) .. The vestibule leads into a column-less atrium with an impluvium in the centre. It has safes on either side sheathed with iron and bronze nails, set on masonry bases. The wall decoration depicts cupids sacrificing to the Penates, putti in various poses, wagons with symbols of Bacchus and Mercury and a scene of sacrifice to Fortuna. .. .. A second, smaller atrium to the right contains a temple-type lararium (above) painted with the Genius of the 'pater familia' shown standing between two Lares, with the snake Agathodemone (protector of the hearth) at their feet. The atrium leads to the domestic area and kitchen. .. ,, .. A second oecus, which lies to the left of the atrium is similarly well decorated with scenes of Hercules with serpents, Pentheus slain by the Bacchants and The torture of Dirce. The large triclinium (a fresco from which is pictured below right) opens off the northern corner of the peristyle and is decorated with red panels of The Seasons, perspective architecture, ornamental elements, which turn into delicate figurines, small pictures of naval battles set under theatrical masks and Dionysiac cult objects. Above is a black frieze decorated with imaginary architecture and cupids acting out the various professions, while below is in faux marble. The peristyle (pictured below) is decorated with architectural motifs on a light background between large panels. The central garden once contained statues, columns, fountains and tables. These have been restored to their original positions together with a recreation of their garden setting based on traces left by the plants roots. Even the lead pipes that carried water to the numerous fountains are in their original position. .. This house derives its name from two bronze seals found near a strongbox in the atrium. The seals bore the names Aulus Vettius Restitutus and Aulus Vettius Conviva. .. The house was built along two adjacent sides of the peristyle (see left). On a column on the left side of the fauces or vestibule is a fresco of Priapus, god of fertility, there to ward off the evil eye of those envious of the owners' wealth (pictured below). .. .. ,, Fourth style paintings adorn most of the rooms. The main atrium (left) leads directly onto the peristyle without the usual intervening tablinum. To the right of the atrium is an oecus (below left) decorated with panels depicting scenes of Daedalus and Pasiphae (above), The Punishment of Ixion (below) and Dionysus and Ariadne. .. .. .. A gynaeceum lies in the north-east corner of the peristyle with a separate triclinium decorated with frescoes of Hercules recognising Achilles and Hercules surprising Augeas.

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