Recently, archaeologists uncovered a small house among the ruins of Pompeii, adorned with frescoes featuring risqué themes. One of the wall paintings depicts a semi-nude Phaedra, the mythological queen of Athens, alongside her stepson Hippolytus.
This tiny abode, decorated with erotic frescoes, is the latest discovery in the city that was buried under tons of volcanic ash in 79 AD. The exquisitely decorated residence, dubbed the House of Phaedra by researchers, sheds light on the evolution of architectural styles in the 1st century AD. Furthermore, the house serves as evidence that the residents of Pompeii had a taste for sensual art.
In the aforementioned fresco, next to the partially undressed Phaedra, the artist has portrayed her stepson Hippolytus. According to Greek legend, the queen accused him of assault after he spurned her advances. Another wall painting reveals an intimate encounter between a satyr and a nymph in bed. Meanwhile, yet another fresco depicts deities, likely Venus and Adonis.
Despite its small size, the dwelling “impresses with its high level of wall decoration,” stated a release from the Archaeological Park of Pompeii. It also noted that the discovered frescoes can be compared to those previously found in the more luxurious homes of the ancient city.
Unlike other structures, this little house was not built around a traditional atrium—a central courtyard with a rainwater collection pool, typical of ancient Roman architecture dating back to the 6th century BC. In fact, suggestive scenes could be found in homes across all social classes and in many public spaces in Pompeii. They were not considered scandalous or shameful, as reported by The Guardian.
As early as the late 19th century, archaeologists discovered a well-preserved and richly decorated building in Pompeii known as the House of the Vettii. It was owned by two former slaves (freedmen)—brothers Aulus Vettius Conviva and Aulus Vettius Restitutus. They became wealthy from the sale of wine and agricultural products, later purchasing an old residence in an aristocratic district and remodeling it to their tastes. One of the frescoes found near the entrance depicted the god of fertility and abundance, Priapus, with a massive phallus balanced on scales opposite a bag of money. This image symbolized wealth and prosperity in the home. The house, adorned with numerous erotic artworks, was also used by its owners as a brothel. Due to the variety of art objects, researchers often refer to the House of the Vettii as the “Sistine Chapel of Pompeii.”