House of the Faun

The house of the Faun is one of the most-well known homes in Pompeii. It is a very large home spanning about 1 city block.  It is evident that the home owner is extremely wealthy from the large columns at the entrance to the large, colored tiles on the floor.  The house has two atriums and 2 peristyle gardens.  The famous statue of the dancing fawn impluvium.  There is also a copy of the famous mosaic of the battle between Alexander the Great and Darius, the Persian king.  The original mosaic and statue of the fawn are housed in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.   Map #1

House of the Tragic Poet

This home is easily recognized by the famous mosaic at the front entry.  CAVE CANEM is Latin for Beware of the Dog! The mosaic is protected by glass, hence the glare in the photos.  Although visitors are not allowed inside of the house at the time of this trip, guides tell me that there are mythological images inside the house featuring scenes from the Iliad as well as Theseus leaving Ariadne behind on his trip home from defeating the Minotaur.  Map #4

Thermopolium

According to A Guide to the Pompeii Excavations, there are 89 excavated thermopolia in Pompeii.  These quick dining shops were used mainly by the  lower classes whose homes did not have kitchens.  Map #5

House of the Ara Maxima

This home has a beautiful atrium with many frescoes on the walls.  It is the focal point of the home.  Unlike other domi in Pompeii, this home does not have a garden.  Also, instead of a traditional tablinum across from the entry, there is only a small room.  According to A Guide to the Pompeii Excavations, the home was named after a painting of Hercules near an altar.  This altar is believed to be the Ara Maxima built by Hercules in Rome.   Map #13

Castellum Aquae

The Castellum Aquae (below) is a water distribution center that connects with the Augustan aqueduct.  This form of ancient hydraulic engineering provided water for the city of Pompeii.  The holes at the bottom center of the structure were for 3 pipes.  Map #14

Villa of the Mysteries

Please go to the Villa of Mysteries page to learn more about this unique Roman villa and see more photos and videos.  Map #22

Herculaneum Gate and Walls and the Necropolis of the Herculaneum Gate

This gate and road led to the city of Herculaneum.  Like most of the city gates, there were smaller passages for foot traffic and larger ones for carts and wagons.   Map #19

Necropolis of the Herculaneum Gate  Map #20

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