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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 12 2008, 9:38 AM EDT | clemio | |
| Apr 6 2008, 2:54 PM EDT | clemio | 1 word added, 1 word deleted |
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Insula IV lies across Cardo III from Insula III as shown in the schematic on the right. Along the lower decumanus lie several small shops, while at its junction with Cardo V there is the remains of a thermopolium that sold food and drink. Eight earthenware jars that would have contained cereals and vegetables are set in the counter. Also in this insula are the House of the Mosaic Atrium, the House of the Deer, the House of the Alcove, and the House of the Fullonica.
House of the Mosaic Atrium (Ins IV, 1-2)
| The house has one of the best very views in Herculaneum. The atrium is decorated with a beautiful black and white, geometric mosaic after which the house was named. It is considerably buckled by the onslaught of mud and ashes released by the eruption. The large oecus, or dining room, was divided into three sections by two rows of pillars. A portico, with a large garden, connects the atrium with other family rooms including the triclinium. On the east side of the portico are four cubicula decorated with elegant frescos, and a central exedra, painted with two small mythological panels depicting the Punishment of Dirce, and Diana and Acteon, and with architectural motifs on a blue background.  |  At the end of the triclinium is a loggia off of which can be found two small belvederes. The area, overlooking the sea, is decorated with elegant frescos in the fourth style and a marble pavement in opus sectile. The photograph (left) of the house and terrace shows just how impressive the location was with magnificent views over the Bay of Naples. |
House of the Deer (Ins IV, 21)
The house is one of the most luxurious waterfront dwellings so far discovered in Herculaneum. Built around the time of Claudius, it can be divided into two sections: the entrance, with its atrium and triclinium, and the panoramic terrace, joined together by the large portico shown opposite. The small atrium off the entrance hall lacks both the opening (compluvium) and rainwater tank (impluvium) typical of Roman atria. At the far end of the atrium a door leads to the triclinium which is decorated with frescos in the third style and a patterned floor in different kinds of marble.
Two famous marble groups of deer being attacked by dogs, that were excavated in the garden, are on display.
Off the garden is a room with fourth style frescos and a marble statue of a satyr with a wineskin standing in the centre.The garden is surrounded by a portico with four arcades (a quadriporticus) decorated with architectural motifs and more than sixty panels.
The panels (partly removed in the 18th century) represent scenes with tiny cupids, still-lifes and architectural landscapes.
The panels (partly removed in the 18th century) represent scenes with tiny cupids, still-lifes and architectural landscapes.
Another triclinium, flanked by two drawing rooms, opens onto the side of the portico overlooking the waterfront.
House of the Alcove (Ins IV)
The house is actually two buildings joined together. As a consequence of this it is a mixture of plain and simple rooms combined with some highly decorated ones.The atrium is covered, so lacks an impluvium. It retains its original flooring of opus tesselatum and opus sectile.
Off the atrium is a biclinium decorated with frescoes in the fourth style and a large triclinium which originally had a marble floor.
A number of other rooms, one of which is the apsed alcove after which the house was named, can be reached via a hall, lit from a small courtyard.
House of the Fullonica (Ins IV)
Next door to the House of the Alcove (in the centre of the photograph) is the House of the Fullonica (laundry). This building, directly across Cardo IV from the House of the Opus Craticium, still has the tubs in situ that were used for washing and drying clothing and other textiles. Like many other houses in both Herculaneum and Pompeii, the building served the double purpose of a place of work and the family home.
For a fuller description of the everyday workings of a fullonica refer to the Shops and Businesses (Pompeii) page where the Fullonica of Stephani in Pompeii is described in greater detail.
Thermopolium (Ins IV, 15-16)
| The photograph opposite shows the thermopolium at the junction of cardo V with the lower decumanus looking south down Insula IV. The thermopolium was a cafe/bar serving both food and drink. Eight earthenware jars that contained cereals and vegetables are set in the counter.  |  A piece of Greek graffiti in the back of the bar states: 'Diogenes, the philosopher and cynic, seeing a woman being swept away by a river, exclaimed that a scourge was being swept away by a(nother) scourge.' |
< Insulae II, III.........................................................................................................................................................Insula V >
