Regio III is one of the nine administrative districts (regiones) into
which the ancient city of Pompeii was divided by archaeologist Giuseppe
Fiorelli in 1858 for systematic study and navigation. It occupies the
eastern end of the central area of Pompeii, running alongside the
eastern stretch of Via dell'Abbondanza, one of the city's main east-west
thoroughfares. This region is positioned near the eastern city walls and
includes a mix of residential, military-related, and funerary
structures. Compared to more central or western regiones like Regio VII
or VIII, Regio III remains mostly unexcavated, with only portions
explored in the early 20th century. This partial excavation reflects its
focus on residential and artisan workshops, alongside evidence of social
and political activity through wall paintings and graffiti. The area's
archaeological significance lies in its representation of everyday Roman
life, military associations, and the city's defenses, providing insights
into Pompeii's urban expansion during the Republican and Imperial
periods. Excavations here, primarily between 1913 and 1918, uncovered
intricate wall paintings, electoral graffiti, and structures that
highlight the region's involvement in Pompeii's civic and military
spheres.
The region was part of Pompeii's broader urban layout,
developed after the city's founding in the 6th century BC by
Oscan-speaking peoples and its subsequent control by Etruscans,
Samnites, and Romans. By the 3rd century BC, under Samnite influence,
defensive structures like the Nola Gate were built. Pompeii's prosperity
as a trading hub, supported by fertile lands and proximity to the Sarno
River, is evident in Regio III's buildings, which date mostly to the
Republican era (3rd-1st centuries BC) with later Roman modifications.
The entire city, including this region, was buried under 4-6 meters of
ash and pumice during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD,
preserving structures in a frozen state. Modern excavations in Regio III
began sporadically in the 19th century but intensified under Vittorio
Spinazzola in the early 20th century, focusing on Via dell'Abbondanza.
The area suffered damage from Allied bombing in 1943 during World War
II, leading to post-war reconstructions that have sometimes contributed
to later structural issues.
Insula or islands
Regio III features a blend of private homes, military facilities, and extramural elements. Below is a detailed enumeration of key sites:
Insula 1
Pacuvius House (3) - It is an almost completely
underground house, of which only the entrance is visible: on the
left pillar is an inscription clearly referring to Pacuvio,
while on the lost plaster was depicted a red anchor, probably in
reference to the activity of the owner, a maritime merchant.
House with tavern of Predicius Cornelius (6) - Probably used also as
a workshop, it is almost entirely buried: partly damaged by a
bomb dropped during the Second World War, it is so named for a
graffiti found on the right entrance pillar.
Insula 2
House of the Trebius Valens (III.2.1): This is a classic example of a Republican-era Roman house, featuring a lobby atrium and peristyle (colonnaded courtyard). Excavated between 1913 and 1915-1918, its facade—partially destroyed in 1943 bombings—once displayed black-painted inscriptions, including electoral programs and amphitheater advertisements, preserved on the eastern side. The rear garden includes a summer triclinium (dining area) with vibrant wall decorations in colored panels under a pergola supported by four columns. Owned by the prominent Trebii family, active before and after Roman conquest, it exemplifies middle-class Pompeian domestic life with spaces for social gatherings and political expression.
Insula 3
Schola Armaturarum Juventutis Pompeianae (III.3.6): Often called the "School of Gladiators" or "Armory School," this is one of Regio III's most iconic structures, located on Via dell'Abbondanza. Excavated by Vittorio Spinazzola in 1915-1916, it was likely the headquarters of a military association for youth training (iuventus) or a depository for gladiatorial arms, built after the 62 AD earthquake on earlier ruins. The facade featured large frescoes of military trophies (weapons and armor), with a wide entrance closed by a lattice wooden wall and triangular pediment. Inside, wooden cabinets lined the walls for storing arms, and rear rooms held artifacts like amphorae. Damaged by a 1943 bomb, rebuilt in the 1950s with reinforced concrete, it collapsed in 2010 due to heavy rain and poor drainage, destroying much of the upper walls and frescoes. Restoration from 2016-2019 involved stabilizing masonry, cleaning frescoes, and adding a protective cover; it reopened for limited visits in January 2019. The site symbolizes Pompeii's conservation challenges and successes, offering insights into gladiatorial culture and Roman military societies.
Insula 4
House of the Moralist
:
This elegant residence was created by combining two
smaller adjacent houses into a single, more spacious domus. It was
excavated between 1916 and 1917. Approximately one-third of its
total area is occupied by a large, pleasant garden that includes a
summer triclinium (an open-air dining area) with built-in masonry
couches and a central table, ideal for outdoor banquets during
warmer months. The walls of this triclinium are decorated with
delicate frescoes showing birds pecking at fruits and berries,
evoking a lively natural atmosphere.
What truly distinguishes the
house—and gives it its modern name—are the painted Latin
inscriptions (moralistic couplets) on the walls, which set out rules
of etiquette for guests. These include directives such as avoiding
arguments or heated disputes, refraining from improper or lustful
glances at others, and requiring that feet be washed before
reclining on the couches (with a slave boy to dry them and a cloth
to protect the furnishings). A small household shrine dedicated to
the goddess Diana stands in the garden, featuring a fine marble
statuette that would have been clearly visible from the dining area.
The owners were likely prosperous wine merchants, including Marcus
Epidius Hymenaeus, Caius Arrius Crescens, and Titus Arrius Polites.
Evidence for their commercial and social connections comes from at
least five electoral posters (programmata) painted on the façade,
which supported various candidates in local elections. The house
vividly illustrates the interplay of social norms, hospitality
etiquette, and business activities in ancient Pompeii just before
the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD.
House of the Pinarius
Cerialis (III.4.b):
This modest but fascinating
dwelling belonged to Pinarius Cerialis, a skilled gemmarius (gem
cutter and engraver). The identification is confirmed by the
remarkable discovery inside the house of approximately 114–116 gems,
vitreous pastilles (glass inlays), and cameos—tools and materials of
his trade. The house, also known as the House of the Goldsmith or
House of Iphigenia, features refined Fourth-Style wall paintings.
Particularly noteworthy are the high-quality frescoes in one of the
small bedrooms (cubicula), which depict theatrical scenes, including
a detailed representation from Euripides’ tragedy Iphigenia in
Tauris. These paintings highlight the owner’s cultural interests and
the artistic sophistication possible even in smaller Pompeian homes.
Insula 5
Casa di Loreio (V.5.2):
This property was only
partially excavated between 1917 and 1919, so much of its interior
remains buried. Today, visitors can see mainly the street façade,
which presents a symmetrical appearance with a central entrance
flanked by two columns and a small window to the left. Running along
the entire length of the façade are the remains of what appears to
be the base or supporting structure for an upper-floor balcony (or
loggia), suggesting the house once had a more imposing two-story
elevation overlooking the street.
Insula 6
House of M.
Satrius (V.6.2):
Excavation of this house began and remained
limited in 1935, leaving much of the structure unexposed. It
suffered further damage during the Second World War when a bomb
struck the area, destroying or severely damaging an important
epigraph (inscription) that was once present. Despite the partial
ruin, traces of ancient plaster still cling to the walls, and a
covered (protected) graffiti inscription in black and red letters
has survived. This graffito, dating roughly to AD 50–68, includes
praise or a reference to the emperor Nero (with his name later
plastered over, possibly after his death in 68 AD). The surviving
elements offer a small but intriguing glimpse into political
sentiments and daily life in this neighborhood during the final
decades of Pompeii.
Insula 7
House of Popidius Metellicus (I.7.1)
This
residence was excavated in 1936 but later reburied for preservation.
Today, visitors can only observe the surviving perimeter walls and
the main entrance. Like many Pompeian homes belonging to prominent
local families (the Popidii were a well-known gens involved in local
politics), it likely featured typical Roman domestic elements such
as an atrium and living quarters, though most of the interior
remains hidden beneath the volcanic soil.
Insula 8
House
of Vescinus (III.8.2)
Explored initially between 1843 and 1845
and re-examined in 1905, this house was subsequently reburied. The
most visible features today are its sturdy entrance, constructed
with large stone blocks, and portions of the façade. An electoral
inscription (programmata) was probably painted on the exterior wall,
a common practice in Pompeii where residents publicly endorsed
candidates for local offices like aedile or duumvir.
House of
Lucius and Animula (III.8.4) — also known as the Casa di Perseo
Bambino (House of the Infant Perseus) or House of Danae and Perseus
Excavated intermittently from 1838 to 1905, the structure is only
partially visible today. Its façade is particularly noteworthy for
the well-preserved frescoes depicting mythological and everyday
scenes: three naked satyrs, a man harvesting or gathering wine, and
another figure carrying bunches of grapes. Several electoral
inscriptions were also found here, including appeals such as
“Animula supports Claudius for duumvir” and “Lucius urges you to
vote for Suettius Verus as aedile.” These reflect the lively
political campaigning typical of Pompeii in the decades before the
79 AD eruption.
House of Faustinus (III.8.6)
This combined
house-and-shop (taberna) was investigated in 1844. Only a limited
section was uncovered, revealing very few remnants of stucco
decoration. The façade likely bore electoral inscriptions,
suggesting the owner or occupants were active in local politics.
Such hybrid residential-commercial properties were common along
Pompeii’s busy streets, allowing owners to live above or behind
their shops.
House of Pelorus (III.8.7)
First explored in 1884
and further investigated between 1903 and 1905, much of this house
remains underground. Notable surviving elements include the entrance
that opened directly into the atrium and a small window on the
façade, which also carried an electoral inscription. The layout
would have followed the standard Pompeian plan, with the atrium
serving as the central reception and light well for the home.
Defensive and Funerary Features
Nola Gate and City Walls: This eastern gate, excavated in 1813, was
constructed in the Samnite era (3rd century BC) by Vibius Popidius, as
per an Oscan inscription (now in the British Museum). Built with tuff
blocks and a concrete barrel vault, it features a keystone carved with
Minerva's head for protection. Flanked by two bastions to trap
attackers, the walls include a reconstructed 1st-century BC section
using cement, contrasting with original limestone and tuff. It served as
a key entry point on the road to Nola, underscoring Regio III's role in
Pompeii's defenses.
Necropolis of Nola Gate: Located outside the
walls and excavated in 1907-1908 and 1978, this suburban cemetery
features four monumental tombs: two semi-circular exedra (seat-type) and
two aedicula (shrine-type). The best-preserved exedra belongs to
Aesquilia Pollia (died at 22), with a column-topped marble urn built by
her husband. An anonymous exedra was for a priestess of Ceres, marked by
a cista (basket) and spicae (wheat ears). The enclosed tomb of
magistrate Marcus Obellius Firmus contains plaster casts of 15 eruption
victims. Nearby, four Praetorian guards' tombs are inscribed on marble
stelae. This site illustrates Roman burial practices, social status, and
the eruption's human toll.
Historical Context and Excavations
Regio III's development mirrors Pompeii's evolution from a Samnite
settlement to a Roman colony. The region's eastern location made it a
gateway to nearby cities like Nola, influencing its defensive and
funerary features. Excavations here were part of broader efforts
starting in 1748 under Charles III of Bourbon, but specific work in
Regio III occurred later. Key digs include:
1813: Uncovering of
the Nola Gate and adjacent walls.
1907-1908 and 1978: Exploration of
the Necropolis of Nola Gate.
1913, 1915-1918: House of Trebio
Valente.
1916-1917: House of the Moralist and Schola Armaturarum (led
by Spinazzola, who focused on the facade along Via dell'Abbondanza).
These efforts revealed a region with fewer grand public buildings than
central Pompeii but rich in domestic architecture and military
artifacts. Post-1943 bombing, reconstructions used reinforced concrete,
which has posed conservation challenges. Heavy rainfall in 2010 caused
the collapse of the Schola Armaturarum's upper structure, highlighting
ongoing issues with drainage and maintenance. Restoration projects,
funded by initiatives like the Great Pompeii Project, have stabilized
sites, with the Schola reopening in 2019 after a three-year effort.
Today, parts of Regio III are open to visitors, though some, like the
Schola Armaturarum, are viewable only from the exterior or during guided
tours to protect fragile frescoes.
Artifacts, Frescoes, and Significance
Regio III has yielded notable artifacts, including frescoes of military trophies at the Schola Armaturarum, garden scenes in the House of the Moralist, and inscriptions revealing political and social life. Electoral graffiti and behavioral precepts highlight community dynamics, while victim casts from the necropolis provide poignant evidence of the 79 AD disaster. The region's unexcavated portions suggest potential for future discoveries, emphasizing the need for ongoing conservation amid climate and tourism pressures. Overall, Regio III offers a window into Pompeii's peripheral urban life, blending domestic tranquility with military readiness and funerary solemnity.