Villa 50A. Scafati, Contrada Murecine or Muregine or Moregine, Fondo Cascone.

Il Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. Hospitium dei Sulpici.

Excavated 1959 and 1999-2000.

Villa 50B. L’edificio B di Murecine a Pompei. Excavated 2000-2001.

Part 2      Part 1

Kitchen F

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. September 2011.

The kitchen F with a long bench is in the north-east corner, top right in this photo. Photo courtesy of Michael Binns.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. September 2015. The kitchen with a 35m long bench.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. Excavation photo.

The kitchen with the large bench and the doorway leading to the triclinium area.

The kitchen (F) is large, 4.40 x 7.05 meters wide with the long and wide cooking bench against the eastern wall (4.75 x 1.40 metres); a large door to the south allowed one to reach the triclinium area, while another door to the north, on the west wall, allowed one to reach the uncovered service area (fig. 5). The cocciopesto floor has a slope towards the north-east corner of the room, here, just at the corner, a sort of pillar contains a large gutter made of terracotta tubules (about 22 cm in diameter) which probably collected part of the roof water. The decoration of the walls with a black background is very simple as is characteristic of rustic environments as well. the lararium scene in the centre of the west wall: all the walls are divided into panels delimited by red bands, alternately decorated with simple white streaks now arched now oblique. Likewise, the walls of the cooking counter. At the centre of the west wall is a large lararium painted with scenes of sacrifice on a white background. In the foreground, in the centre, we see an altar to which two long snakes approaching, rich in details as regards the scales. In the background, also in the centre, there is a priest, head veiled, dressed in a white mantle with red borders. On the sides two attendants with ivy crowned heads and short white robes act as helpers.

See Nappo, S. C., 2005. I triclini di Murecine uso ed interpretazione, p. 59, fig. 5.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. Excavation photo. Kitchen F. West wall.

At the centre of the west wall is a large lararium painted with scenes of sacrifice on a white background. In the foreground, in the centre, is an altar to which two long snakes approach, rich in details as regards the scales. In the background, also in the centre, there is a priest, head veiled, dressed in a white mantle with red borders. On the sides two attendants with ivy crowned heads and short white robes act as helpers.

See Nappo, S. C., 2001. La decorazione parietale dell'hospitium dei Sulpici in località Murecine a Pompei MEFR Antiquité, tome 113, n°2. 2001, pp. 889-890, fig. 31.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. July 2010.

Model looking south. The kitchen with a 3.75m long bench is on the left in this photo. Photo courtesy of Michael Binns.

The main door from the kitchen to the triclinia is at the front and a secondary door appears to lead to the rear where the model is incomplete.

Although complete with everything, at the time of the eruption the kitchen was not in operation and was used as a deposit. In fact, around 200 marble slabs (1.80 m × 0.75 m) were found neatly stacked in it, presumably to be used to decorate the unfinished bath complex.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. Some of the around 200 marble slabs found neatly stacked in the kitchen.

According to Perna, Antonelli and Lazzarini, in an archaeometric analysis of the greco scritto marble slabs from the Edificio dei Triclinii, discovered at Murecine in Pompeii’s suburbs in 1999–2000, a total of 14 samples were collected and subjected to standard X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscopy (OM) on thin sections and stable isotope ratio analysis (SIRA) to assess the stone’s identity and provenance. The results of this study substantiate the hypothesis (already put forward and based on a macroscopic identification by Perna and Scognamiglio) that the stone originates from the Hasançavuşlar quarries near Ephesus in Asia Minor.

See Perna S., Antonelli F., Lazzarini L., 2022.  Archaeometric analysis of the ‘greco scritto’ marble slabs from the Edificio dei Triclinii at Murecine. Wiley Online Library.

Triclinium D and Triclinium E

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. Model with triclinium D and triclinium E shown (right) undecorated.

The walls of A, B, and C are shown with their frescoes. The kitchen and its main door is at the top right. Photo courtesy of Michael Binns.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. September 2015.

Model of December 2000 with triclinium D and triclinium E shown undecorated.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei.

Earlier model with triclinium D and triclinium E shown at far end undecorated but with their triclinii.

The walls of A, B, and C are shown without their frescoes. The kitchen is still unexcavated at the top left. Photo courtesy of Michael Binns.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. July 2010.

Earlier model with triclinium D and triclinium E shown at far end.

Triclinium D is shown with a rectangular table whereas all the others have round tables.

Part of the more recent December 2000 model can be seen in the background. Photo courtesy of Michael Binns.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. Triclinium D.

Vittoria alata con ventaglio purpureo. Winged Victory with a purple fan.

PAP inventory number 25938.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. Triclinium D.

Minerva con elmo dorato ornato di piume rosso seduta su di un alto trono.

Minerva with golden helmet adorned with red feathers sitting on a high throne.

PAP inventory number 25939.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. Triclinium D.

Giove e un piccolo amorino alata. Jupiter and a small winged cupid.

PAP inventory number 25941.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. Triclinium D.

Vittoria alata che regge un tirso nella mano destra. Winged Victory holding a thyrsus in the right hand.

PAP inventory number 25944.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. Triclinium D.

Vittoria alata che regge un tirso nella mano sinistra. Winged Victory holding a thyrsus in the left hand.

PAP inventory number 25945.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. Triclinium D.

Vittoria alata con uno scettro. Winged Victory holding a sceptre.

PAP inventory number 39566.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. October 2022. Triclinium D or E.

Vittoria con tripode. Vittoria with tripod, on display in Pompeii Palaestra.

Vittoria alata con gli attributi di Apollo. Winged Victory with the attributes of Apollo.

This is shown on the east wall of triclinium C but may have come from Triclinium D or E. Photo courtesy of Klaus Heese

According to Mario Pagano, the difference in the background colour, red in this case, [triclinium D has black background colour] gives rise to the suspicion that this Winged Victory does not belong, as shown by the confused documentation, to the triclinium D, but to that of the adjacent triclinium [E], of which there is no recovery of the pictorial decoration.

See Guzzo, P., (A Cura di), 1997. Pompeii: Picta Fragmenta. Torino: Umberto Allemandi, p. 149 no. 116.

Round Tables

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. July 2021.

Round table from one of the triclinium, on display in Palaestra.

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. September 2015.

Round table on display in Palaestra.

The table is of decorated masonry and has a marble top with a hole in the centre fed by a lead pipe.

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. September 2015.

Round table decorated with paintings of branches, fruits, and birds.

It has a marble top from the centre of which water flowed to enhance the dining experience.

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. September 2015.

Round table from centre of one of the triclinium rooms.

This is turned upside down to show the lead pipe that fed water gushing through the top to the benefit of the diners ambience.

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. September 2015.

Upside down round table from centre of one of the triclinium rooms showing the lead pipe that fed water gushing up and out through the top of the table.

Pillared Portico P and Garden T

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. September 2015. Model of pillared portico P and garden T to the south of the triclinii.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. September 2016. Pillared portico P on the earlier model.

Note the colouring of the pillars which is absent on the December 2000 model.

The peristyle enclosed a garden T, with myrtle plants and canals. Photo courtesy of Michael Binns.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. September 2015.

Model of room Q to west of pillared portico P and doors rooms 9 and 7 on south side of the baths suite.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. September 2015.

Model of rooms S, 10, 8, 9, 7 to north-west of pillared portico and on south side of the baths’ suite.

Baths Suite

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. September 2015

Baths suite looking north-east on December 2000 model.

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. September 2015.

West side of Baths suite, rooms 3, O and S looking east from area 5 on December 2000 model.

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. September 2015.

West side of Baths suite looking south-east on December 2000 model.

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. July 2010

Baths suite looking north on December 2000 model. Photo courtesy of Michael Binns.

Left to right are steps G, 8, 7 (front), service areas 9, 10, N and 2 (behind) and apodyterium S, tepidarium O and caldarium 3 (at rear).

The building was reoccupied immediately after the eruption of 79 A.D.

Evident traces are the tiled floors made over the volcanic earth in rooms 3 and O.

See De Simone, A., 2000. L’indagine archeologica in località Murecine a Pompei, in A. De Simone e S. C. Nappo (a cura di), Mitis Sarni Opes, Napoli, 2000, p. 75

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. September 2015. Model of baths suite looking north.

Left to right are rooms S and 10 and steps G (front), rooms O and N (behind) and rooms 3 and 2 (at rear).

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. September 2015. Model of baths suite looking north-east.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. September 2015. Reconstruction of baths suite.

Left to right are caldarium 3, tepidarium O, apodyterium S at front and service areas 2, N, 10, 9 at the rear. Area Q is on the right.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. 2000 excavation photo on display in Pompeii Palaestra September 2015.

Room O with two alcoves, east end.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. 2000 excavation photo on display in Pompeii Palaestra. September 2015.

Room O with two alcoves, east end with alcove and two recesses.

Moregine Silver Treasure

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei.

Excavation photo from year 2000, on display in Pompeii Palaestra. September 2015. Baths suite latrine.

Of particular interest is the way in which the treasure of silverware was found: a wicker pannier was found in a latrine, which seemed to be filled only with earth from the eruption. From the X-rays, however, we glimpsed metal bodies that a very careful micro-excavation allowed to bring to light by bringing out pieces of silver; plates, cups of various shapes, a teaspoon, two shapes embossed with animal figures.

Di particolare interesse la modalità di rinvenimento del tesoro di argenterie: in una latrina fu ritrovata una gerla in vimini, che sembrava piena solo di terra dell’eruzione. Dalle radiografie si intravidero invece dei corpi metallici che un microscavo attentissimo ha consentito di portare alla luce facendo emergere pezzi d’argento; piatti, coppe di varia forma, un cucchiaino, due forme decorate a sbalzo con figurazioni d’animali.

from PAP website

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. 2000. Baths suite, understairs latrine.

During excavation of the baths complex in 2000 a complete core of a table service, that a fugitive had attempted to save from the eruption, were found in a wicker basket in the latrine. There were 20 items of silver weighing four kilograms.

These are now collectively known as the Moregine Silver Treasure.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. 2000. Baths suite, understairs latrine.

Muregine embossed silver cup with animal scene. Only two cups were embossed.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. September 2015.

Baths suite, understairs latrine. Moregine silver treasure in Pompeii Antiquarium.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. February 2021.

Silver found in the Complex of the Moregine Triclinia on display in Pompeii Antiquarium.

Silver table set consisting of 20 pieces: a circular serving tray, four bowls/plates, ten cups – two embossed – four stands and a teaspoon.

The inscription, Erasti sum, engraved on the back of the silverware indicates that the owner’s name was Erastus.

Photo courtesy of Fabien Bièvre-Perrin (CC BY-NC-SA).

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. February 2021.

Pompeii Antiquarium display of silver table set from Moregine. Photo courtesy of Fabien Bièvre-Perrin (CC BY-NC-SA).

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. February 2021.

Detail of the eight silver cups, not embossed, three stands, and teaspoon found in Moregine.

Photo courtesy of Fabien Bièvre-Perrin (CC BY-NC-SA).

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. February 2021.

Detail of one of the silver embossed cups with animal scene from the table set found in Moregine.

Photo courtesy of Fabien Bièvre-Perrin (CC BY-NC-SA).

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. February 2021.

Moregine silver information card in Pompeii Antiquarium.

The silver table set contained a large tray, four plates, eight plain cups, two embossed patterned cups, four stands and a teaspoon, 20 items in total weighing 3.85kg. They were found in a basket hidden below other items of everyday use.

Most of the pieces date from the Augustan era but the tray and two bowls are earlier and may have been handed down from one generation to another. Photo courtesy of Fabien Bièvre-Perrin (CC BY-NC-SA).

Wax tablets

Carlo Giordano

The complex belonged to the Sulpicii family of Pozzuoli (Puteoli) who kept the accounting archive here.

Il complesso apparteneva alla famiglia dei Sulpicii di Pozzuoli (Puteoli) che qui custodivano l’archivio contabile.

About 300 wax tablets containing financial and legal documents were found in the middle triclinium [B] on the north side, in a cista viminea [wicker basket], which had fallen from the upper rooms. These took the form of single tablet and double (diptych) and triple tablets (triptych).

See Giordano, C. Su alcune tavolette cerate dell’agro Murecine, Rend/Nap 41, (1966), p.107-121.

Olga Elia

Nel 2 ° triclinio fu raccolta, caduta dal piano superiore, la cista viminea nella quale erano conservate le tabulae ceratae, in numero di circa trecento, tra dittici e trittici, che costituiscono il prezioso trovamento di questo scavo e restituiscono a Pompei il secondo archivio privato, dopo quello di Cecilio Giocondo, ma in più felici condizioni di conservazione e di lettura. In queste tabulae ricorre abbastanza frequentemente il nome di C. Sulpicius Cynnamus ; esse concernono (per la piccola parte sinora letta) atti finanziari e giuridici, stipulati in Pozzuoli fra gli anni 37-55 d. C. Inoltre fu raccolta, ancora nello stesso ambiente, una grande àncora in ferro, analoga a quella trovata nella fattoria di Celio Africano a Bottaro, parte del fasciame di poppa d'una barca e numerosi remi.

In the 2nd triclinium, the wicker basket in which the wax tablets were preserved was collected, having fallen from the upper floor, numbering approximately three hundred, including diptychs and triptychs, which constitute the precious find of this excavation and return to Pompeii the second private archive, after that of Caecilius Giocondo, but in a better state of preservation and reading. The name of C. Sulpicius Cynnamus recurs quite frequently in these tabulae; they concern (for the small part read so far) financial and legal deeds, stipulated in Pozzuoli between the years 37-55 AD.  In addition, a large iron anchor, similar to the one found on the farm of Celius Africanus in Bottaro, part of the stern planking of a boat and numerous oars were also collected in the same room.

See Elia, O. Il portico dei triclini del pagus maritimus di Pompeii, Bollettino d’Arte 1961, Fasc. III, pp.202.

Giuseppe Camodeca

L’archivio puteolano dei Sulpicii, rinvenuto nel luglio 1959 nell’edificio con triclini in loc. Murecine (o Moregine), era conservato in una cesta di vimini a due manici, deposta sul letto inferiore del triclinio centrale [B] lungo il lato nord del peristilio. La cesta era ricolma di tavolette disposte in ordine su pile, la cui straordinaria conservazione del legno era dovuta alla particolare circostanza di essere rimaste interamente immerse nella torba; ma sul numero delle tavolette allora rinvenute resta la più grande approssimazione e incertezza: nelle relazioni di scavo si affermava che le tabulae ceratae erano in numero di ca. 300, tra dittici e trittici, pochi anni dopo i tecnici chiamati a risolverne i difficili problemi di conservazione, le quantificavano in circa 200. Sta comunque il fatto che in base alla mia edizione si possono riconoscere 127 documenti, alcuni certo assai frammentari, per 185 tavolette circa con tracce di scrittura; essi sono datati dal 26 al 61, e per lo più si concentrano nel ventennio fra 35 e 55 (ben l’88% dei documenti datati o in qualche modo databili). Nello stesso triclinio furono rinvenuti deposti insieme alla cesta sul piano dei due letti laterali, i resti di una barca, numerosi remi e un’ancora di ferro, prova evidente che nel 79 l’archivio, il cui più tardo documento risaliva a 18 anni prima, non aveva più alcun interesse come tale e ciò spiega una così singolare collocazione (diversa da quella di ogni altro archivio) quasi abbandonato con materiale di tutt’altro genere in un edificio allora in corso di ristrutturazione.

The Puteolano archive of the Sulpicii, found in July 1959 in the building with triclinia in loc. Murecine (or Moregine), was preserved in a wicker basket with two handles, placed on the lower bed of the central triclinium [B] along the north side of the peristyle. The basket was filled with tablets arranged in order on piles, the extraordinary conservation of the wood of which was due to the particular circumstance of having remained entirely immersed in peat; but the greatest approximation and uncertainty remains on the number of tablets then found: in the excavation reports it was stated that the tabulae ceratae numbered approx. 300, including diptychs and triptychs, a few years later the technicians called to solve the difficult conservation problems, quantified them at about 200. The fact remains, however, that based on my edition, 127 documents can be recognized, some certainly very fragmentary, for 185 tablets approximately with traces of writing; they are dated from 26 to 61 AD, and are mostly concentrated in the twenty years between 35 and 55 (as much as 88% of the documents dated or in some way datable). In the same triclinium they were found deposited together with the basket on the level of the two side beds, the remains of a boat, numerous oars and an iron anchor, clear proof that in 79 the archive, whose latest document dated back to 18 years earlier, no longer had any interest as such and this explains such a singular location (different from that of any other archive) almost abandoned with material of a completely different kind in a building then under renovation.

See Camodeca G., 1991. Gli Archivi Privati di Tabulae Ceratae e di Papiri Documentari. Pompei ed Ercolano: Case, Ambienti e Modalità di Conservazione, p. 21.

The great majority of the texts are situated between AD 35 and 55. Except for three texts they are all written at Puteoli and in 160 out of 175 cases one of the protagonists is a Sulpicius. Gaius Sulpicius Faustus is attested from AD 26 to 52, his freedman Gaius Sulpicius Cinnamus comes to the fore in the period AD 42-56. For about ten years they act together and then Cinnamus takes over. Gaius Sulpicius Onirus appears in 5 documents from February 61 (TPSulp 90-93). They are all freedmen and they lent huge sums of money (up to 1.280.000 HS over a period of twenty years) either as money-lenders (fenatores) or as bankers to local businessmen. Two dossiers on money loans may be recognised among these papers, that of Gnaeus Novius Eunus (TPSulp 45, 51, 52 and perhaps 67-68) and that of Lucius Marius Secundus (TPSulp 46, 53 and 79). Forty texts deal with juridical problems, e.g. promises to appear in court, attestations that a person has appeared in court, court proceedings, oaths), 87 are business documents, e.g. contracts of sale, loan and lease, IOU's (documents acknowledging debt), accounts. The texts are important for many reasons, but especially because they illustrate "international" trade between Italy and Rome on the one hand and Spain and Egypt on the other.

Studies: Camodeca, Tabulae Pompeianae Sulpiciorum [TPSulp]. Edizione critica dell'archivio puteolano dei Sulpicii, 1999 [replaces earlier partial publications]. A colloquium on the archive of the Sulpicii took place in Paris on 27 November 1999. The results were published in Cahiers du Centre G. Glotz 11 (2000), p. 102-191. For a short introduction to the archive, see Andreau, J. 1999. Banking and business in the Roman world. New York: Cambridge University Press, p. 71-79.

For photos of some of the tablets see https://pompeiicommitment.org/en/inventario/waxed-tablets/

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. 2008. Plan of find locations of the tablets.

The arrows indicate the place where the waxed tablets were found in Triclinium B and the northwest corner of the peristyle.

Most of the set of waxed tablets were found on the triclinium bed in room B and, to a lesser extent (only 4 or 5 tablets) in the north-west corner of the adjoining portico.

In addition, the anchor symbol shows where a large iron anchor, part of the stern planking of a boat and numerous oars were also collected in the same triclinium.

See Mastroroberto, M., Stefani, G. 2008. Uno alla Volta: la tavoletta cerata. Antiquarium di Boscoreale 25 marzo - 20 settembre 2008, p. 5.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. September 2015.

Two wax tablets of the type found at Moregine.

The tablets found dated from 35 to 61 AD (before the earthquake in 62 AD).

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. One of the wax tablets with seals. Photo courtesy of Sophie Hay.

See Camodeca, G., 1999. Tabulae Pompeianae Sulpiciorum. Edizione critica dell’archivio puteolano dei Sulpicii.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. Drawing of one of the wax tablets and seals. Photo courtesy of Sophie Hay.

See Camodeca, G., 1999. Tabulae Pompeianae Sulpiciorum. Edizione critica dell’archivio puteolano dei Sulpicii.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei.

Signature part of one of the wax tablets. Photo courtesy of Sophie Hay.

See Camodeca, G., 1999. Tabulae Pompeianae Sulpiciorum. Edizione critica dell’archivio puteolano dei Sulpicii.

The main protagonists of the tablets are three bankers: C. Sulpicius Faustus, C. Sulpicius Cinnamus, and C. Sulpicius Onirus. We know from the archive that Cinnamus was the freedman of Faustus, while Faustus himself and Onirus seem to have been the sons of the freedman C. Sulpicius Heraclida.

See Terpstra, T. 2012. Murecine Tablets in: R. Bagnall et al. (eds) Encyclopaedia of Ancient History. Malden, MA: Wiley Blackwell.

Finds

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. May 2018.

Remains of cork sandals and a wood and iron billhook. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. April 2019. Finds. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

Top right: Copper jug with handle in the form of a thumb.

Left: Cork sandal soles.

Bottom right: Walnuts.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. April 2019. Finds. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

Top: Shaped wooden elements belonging to furniture.

Right: Wood and iron billhook.

Left: Two iron baking moulds.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. May 2018. Wood and iron billhook. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. May 2018.

Glass tableware on display in Pompeii Palaestra. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

Single handed jug in moulded glass.

Single handed jug in moulded glass bearing the makers mark made of concentric circles.

Blown glass beakers.

Single handed drinking cup made of blown glass.

Blown glass perfume vessel.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. 1959 excavation photo on display in Pompeii Palaestra. September 2015.

Glass tableware under excavation.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. May 2018. Finds on display in Pompeii Palaestra. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

Bronze jug with handle in the form of a thumb.

Rectangular and circular bronze plaquettes of locks with holes for fixing on the wooden support.

Bronze elements of locks where the keys were inserted.

Circular bronze nail for furniture.

Two iron baking moulds.

Thin-walled ceramic jar of Vesuvian production decorated with a human face.

The ithyphallic glazed clay lamp in the form of a satyr at the rear right is from Edifici B.

See Nappo, S. C., 2012.: Un esempio di architettura ricettiva alla foce del Sarno in Rivista di Studi Pompeiani XXIII, p. 97 fig. 27.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. May 2018. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

Common ware jar with applied cords with thumbnail decoration.

Stamped mortar produced in the Rome area, used for the grinding of cereals.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. May 2018. Locally produced trefoil jug. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. May 2018. Locally produced jugs and jars. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. May 2018.

Finds on display in Pompeii Palaestra. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

Blown glass perfume vessel.

Blown glass drinking cup with drops decoration.

Common ware lids of local production.

Red terra sigillata base from a plate of central-italic origin with the maker mark L(ucius) R(asinius) P(isanus).

Two fritilli used for dice throwing.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. May 2018.

Small jar (fritilli) used for throwing dice. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. May 2018.

Finds on display in Pompeii Palaestra. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

Wine amphora from the Meander Valley in Turkey.

Jar of Vesuvian manufacture with painted inscription used for trading locally produced fish sauces.

Common ware jars of local production.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. 1959 excavation photo on display in Pompeii Palaestra. September 2015.

Ceramic tableware under excavation.

50A. Complesso dei triclini in località Moregine a Pompei. September 2015. Ceramic and glass tableware under excavation.

The complex produced a rich repertoire of pottery, bronze, glassware and other implements in use in the last decade of its life.

It includes locally produced items as well as imported products.

50B. L’edificio B di Murecine a Pompei

50B. Pianta topografica della località Murecine. Edificio B e Hospitium dei Sulpici.

About 100m to the west of the triclinium complex, still standing on the right bank of the river Sarno, a second building was discovered [in 2000-2001].

In this various caupona were still functional: in a small room in one of them the skeletons of two adult and three very young women were found, among them a girl of fourteen and another of four years old.

See Nappo, S. C., 2012. L’edificio B di Murecine a Pompei. Un esempio di architettura ricettiva alla foce del Sarno in Rivista di Studi Pompeiani, Vol. XXIII, p.91 fig. 3.

See Guzzo, P., 2003. Tales from an eruption. Milano, Electa, p. 169.

50B. L’edificio B di Murecine a Pompei. Pianta. Plan of Murecine building B.

The Murecine building B, excavated in 2000-2001, lies on the northern bank of the river Sarno at nearly 600 meters southwards from Porta Stabia in Pompeii. The building, with an upper floor, is the result of a complex building history begun at I Style times. It appears to be divided in many little properties with different dimensions and characteristics that, thanks to the numerous triclinia, seem to be destined to the function of cauponae strictly linked with trades and businesses that had place along the river. Among the most important findings the fresco with souvetaurilia and the armilla with the writing DOM(I)NUS ANCILLAE SUAE need to be emphasized.

See Nappo, S. C., 2012.: Un esempio di architettura ricettiva alla foce del Sarno in Rivista di Studi Pompeiani XXIII, p. 89, p. 91 fig. 4.

50B. L’edificio B di Murecine a Pompei. Unit E, room 5b, upper floor south wall.

According to McManus, this shows Roman men wearing togae praetextae participating in a religious ceremony, probably the Compitalia.

PAP inventory number 85193. Photo courtesy of Barbara McManus, VRoma project.

According to Nappo this depicts the ceremony of souvetaurilia in front of the temple.

See Nappo, S. C., 2012.: Un esempio di architettura ricettiva alla foce del Sarno in Rivista di Studi Pompeiani XXIII, p. 98 no. 28.

50B. L’edificio B di Murecine a Pompei. March 2024.

Unit D, room 8, gold and glass paste bracelet in the form of a snake. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

The bracelet has an inscription DOMINUS ANCILLAE SUAE (master to his slave girl). PAP inventory number 81580

On display in exhibition in the Palaestra entitled – “L’altra Pompei, vite comuni all’ombra del Vesuvio”. 

50B. L’edificio B di Murecine a Pompei. Unit D, room 8, gold and glass paste bracelet in the form of a snake.

The bracelet has an inscription DOMINUS ANCILLAE SUAE (master to his slave girl). PAP inventory number 81580.

50B. L’edificio B di Murecine a Pompei. Unit D, room. 8, Two armillae in form of a snake.

PAP inventory numbers 81580 (front) and 81581 (rear).

Inside one has the Latin inscription DOMINUS ANCILLAE SUAE.

In this small room the skeletons of two adult and three very young women were found, among them a girl of fourteen and another of four years old. One of the two elder women, who was about thirty, was found lying on her back on the floor, and carried some gold jewellery in her desperate flight. She was wearing two armbands, a ring and a little chain, and was carrying in a small bag a pair of bracelets, two rings, a necklace with a pendant and a catena.

See Guzzo, P., 2003. Tales from an eruption. Milano, Electa, p. 178 nos. 8 to 11.

See Nappo, S. C., 2012.: Un esempio di architettura ricettiva alla foce del Sarno in Rivista di Studi Pompeiani XXIII, p. 96 nos. 15 and 16.

Of striking interest among this collection of jewellery is an armband which carries the inscription DOM(I)NUS ANCILLAE SUAE, which brings clearly to mind the relationship between Roman masters and their slave-girls whom they used as prostitutes.

See Guzzo, P., 2003. Tales from an eruption. Milano, Electa, p. 169.

The bracelet bearing the inscription is paired with a second similar example but "the result of an ancient restoration, which seems to have used, by welding them”, parts of two different bracelets of the same type. Such ornaments, moreover, were frequently worn in pairs.

See Guzzo, P. G., Scarano Ussani, V. La schiava di Moregine. In: Mélanges de l'École française de Rome. Antiquité, tome 113, n°2. 2001. p. 986.

50B. L’edificio B di Murecine a Pompei. May 2018. Finds.

The ithyphallic clay lamp in the form of a satyr at the rear right is from Edifici B. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

See Nappo, S. C., 2012.: Un esempio di architettura ricettiva alla foce del Sarno in Rivista di Studi Pompeiani XXIII, p. 97 fig. 27.

50B. L’edificio B di Murecine a Pompei. March 2024. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

No.3. Group of Perseus, Andromeda and the sea monster (1st century AD). (Gruppo con Perseo, Andromeda e il mostro marino (I sec, d.C.).

On display in exhibition in Palaestra entitled – “L’altra Pompei, vite comuni all’ombra del Vesuvio”.

Part 1