House of the Gladiators

House of the Gladiators

 

Location: Regio V

Insula 5

 

House of the Gladiators

The House of the Gladiators is located on Via di Nola, about halfway between Via Stabiana and the Nola Gate. The house was first excavated in 1899 and is close to the borders of the excavated city. The House of the Gladiators was built as a private mansion in the first century BC. However, later during the reign of Emperor Augustus or Claudius, the House of Gladiators was transformed into a hostel for families of gladiators. It is estimated that between fifteen and twenty people lived in the house at any time.

About a hundred different graffiti made by gladiators were found on the peristyle columns. Graffiti testifies to the weapon they used and the style of battle: Essedarii, Thracians, Murmilons, Horsemen. Also the inscriptions said about their battles, victories and masters. Archaeological and paleographic analysis of graffiti dates them between the rule of Augustus and 62 years.

The House of the Gladiators became famous for its collapse. This emphasized the fragility of the Pompeii archaeological park and the inability to discover new areas of the city. Repair and support of the excavated buildings should be the goal of the administration of the archaeological museum.

 

House of the Gladiators  House of the Gladiators

Perhaps the gladiators' relocation to quadriporticus behind the Great Theater may have been caused by damage to their mansion during the earthquake of 62 AD, or because necessary larger building. Corridor (a) opens on the north side of Via di Nola. A series of steps leads from a raised path to open directly onto a large peristyle or inner garden (b). Both the facade and the entrance corridor preserve the remains of gypsum, with traces of their original fresco decoration. The peristyle was surrounded by columns from all four sides and had twenty-four columns supporting the inner edges of the roof. The pillars were plastered over the brickwork.

 

House of the Gladiators