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House of Adonis, Pompeii

Address: Regio VI, Insula 7
Area: 410 square meters
Rooms: 9

The House of Adonis, also known as the House of the Wounded Adonis (Casa di Adone Ferito), Domus M. Asellini, House of Venus and Adonis, or Casa con Xystus, is a well-preserved Roman domus in Pompeii that exemplifies the architectural and artistic sophistication of mid-tier elite residences during the late Republican and early Imperial periods. Dating originally to the mid-2nd century BCE, it features a spacious peristyle garden and vivid Fourth Style frescoes dominated by mythological themes, particularly scenes involving Adonis, Aphrodite, and Hermaphroditus. The house's name derives from its iconic large fresco depicting the wounded Adonis attended by Aphrodite, symbolizing themes of love, desire, and mortality drawn from Greek mythology. Spanning approximately 400-500 square meters, it was originally part of a larger property combined with an adjacent dwelling but was subdivided and renovated after the 62 CE earthquake. Excavated in the 1830s and restored in 1976, the site offers insights into Pompeian domestic life, religious practices, and artistic tastes, with connections to local politics via electoral inscriptions and ownership linked to M. Asellinus through a discovered seal.

Location and Historical Context

Located in Regio VI, Insula 7, entrance 18, on Via di Mercurio (Strada di Mercurio 25), the House of Adonis occupies a prominent position in Pompeii's northwestern quarter, near major thoroughfares and other elite homes. This area was a vibrant residential zone for affluent families, reflecting the city's urban development from Samnite influences to Roman dominance. Originally constructed around 150-100 BCE as part of a larger estate merged with the adjacent property (now VI.7.19), it was reconfigured in the post-62 CE period, with walls repainted and spaces adapted for privacy and display. The final phase emphasized garden-centric living, common in Pompeian homes seeking villa-like tranquility amid urban constraints. Excavations occurred between 1835 and 1838, uncovering key frescoes like the Adonis scene in October 1835. French scholar Raoul-Rochette documented the site in 1838 and 1844, noting rapid deterioration of paintings post-exposure. Restoration in 1976 stabilized the structure, preserving it for study. Ownership is tentatively attributed to M. Asellinus, based on a bronze seal inscribed "Onomasti M. Asellini" (belonging to his servant or procurator Onomastus), found in November 1835 and now in the Naples Archaeological Museum (inventory MN 4757). Electoral graffiti on the facade, such as "Casellium aed(ilem)" (CIL IV 223) and "Cerrinium aed(ilem) Tyrannus rog(at)" (CIL IV 224), link it to local politics, endorsing candidates for aedile roles.

Architecture and Layout

The house adheres to a classic Pompeian domus design, adapted for an irregular plot with a focus on internal circulation and natural light. It spans two levels (ground and partial upper), with a linear progression from public to private spaces: entrance fauces leading eastward to an atrium, then a tablinum transitioning to a large peristyle garden enclosed by porticoes. Construction employs opus incertum walls plastered for decoration, with tufa elements for durability. Post-earthquake renovations included repainting and blocking doorways, such as one to VI.7.1, indicating property subdivision. The layout prioritizes the peristyle as a social and recreational hub, evoking rural villa aesthetics in an urban setting.

Rooms and Notable Features

The house comprises about 10-12 rooms, emphasizing functionality, ventilation, and views:

Entrance Fauces: Narrow corridor from Via di Mercurio, with a name plaque on the north exterior wall and electoral inscriptions.
Atrium: Central hall with impluvium for rainwater collection, providing access to side rooms and views westward to the tablinum and peristyle. South side features doorways to service or sleeping areas.
Cubiculum (North of Entrance): Small bedroom with a window overlooking Via di Mercurio, mosaic floor, and upper wall cornice for elegance.
Tablinum: Reception area bridging atrium and peristyle, offering framed garden views.
Peristyle Garden: Expansive colonnaded courtyard with porticoes on multiple sides, a marble fountain for ambiance, and garden beds. East portico includes thematic panels.
Oecus/Cubiculum (South of Peristyle): Multi-purpose room for banquets or rest, with richly decorated walls.
Second Oecus (South of Peristyle): Larger hall with vaulted ceiling potential, featuring stucco projections (1.5 inches) and Medusa heads in upper zones.
Triclinium: Dining room south of peristyle, with a west corridor leading to a blocked doorway into VI.7.1.
Notable features include altars or sacred spaces for household worship, blending domesticity with divinity, and the blocked interconnections highlighting post-earthquake adaptations.