Media Information

 
 
 
Collection:
ADJUNCT MODULE B: ITALIAN ART
Preferred Title:
Lararium; Family Sacrificing to Lares with Agathodaemons
Image View:
Detail, family brings sacrifices to the Lares to an altar
Creator:
unknown (Roman (ancient))
Location:
repository: Museo Archeologico Nazionale (Naples, Campania, Italy) 8905
Location Note:
Piazza Museo 19
GPS:
40.853378 14.250486
Date:
ca. 1-79 CE (creation)
Cultural Context:
Roman (ancient)
Style Period:
Fourth Style; Imperial (Roman)
Work Type 1:
fresco (painting)
Classification:
Paintings
Material:
pigment on plaster
Technique:
fresco painting (technique)
Measurements:
128 cm (height) x 183 cm (width)
Subjects:
allegory; deities; cornucopia; snakes
Description:
A wall fresco in two bands or registers, from the Casa di Championnet II (VIII.2.3-5), Pompeii. The lower register has snakes which are actually representations of agathodaemons, or agathos daemons, spirits of the vineyard and grainfields; they flank an altar where eggs have been left for them. Above, a family makes sacrifices at an altar, flanked by Lares (guardian deities). These would be Lares Familiares, protecting the specific family. They hold a rhyton (drinking horn) and hold a small libation bucket. The fresco would have formed a lararium, a household shrine. (Source: Naples National Archaeological Museum [website]; http://cir.campania. beniculturali.it/mus eoarcheologiconazion ale)
Collection:
Adjunct Module B: Italian Art
Identifier:
7A3-R-NAM-LAG-A02
Rights:
© Scott Gilchrist, Archivision, Inc.

Lararium; Family Sacrificing to Lares with Agathodaemons