The House of L. Caecilius Jucundus, located on the
eastern side of Via del Vesuvius, in its last days belonged to the
banker L. Caecilius Jucundus. This is evidenced by the large number
of financial documents found in the mansion. A simple entrance is
located between the shops (c, d), which are now in poor condition.
On the back wall of the atrium, next to Tablinum (office), is a
copy of Herma (bust) of the owner of House L. Cecilius Yukundus,
actually L. Caecilius Jucundus himself.
To the left of the
entrance is Lararium (e) (pictured below), an altar dedicated to the
patrons of the house. Along its perimeter were carved reliefs
showing the destruction of the Forum and Castellum Aqua during an
earthquake of 62 AD. Lararium now stands without reliefs. One side
was stolen, and the other is in the Museum of Naples.
A cabinet in the back of the peristal was found in the House of L. Caecilius Jucundus. It contained 154 waxed wooden tables containing receipts for the sale of land, animals and slaves, and for paying taxes. Financial activities were recorded before and including the year of the earthquake. Here is one of the entries dating back to 56:
Umbricia Januaria states that she received from Lucius Caecilius
Jucundus 11,039 sestertii, the amount of which fell into the hands
of Lucius Cecilius Jukundus by agreement, as the proceeds from the
sale of Umbricia Januaria. Commissions due to this amount will be
deducted.
Done at Pompeii, December 12, during the reign of
Consul Lucius Duvius and Publius Claudius.
Wax tables are currently on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.