New Discovery at Pompeii: Lavishly Decorated “Tiny House” Uncovered
Archaeologists working in Pompeii’s ancient Amanti Island district have unveiled a unique small residence with vibrant, intricate frescoes that rival even the city’s grander homes. Known as the “Casa di Fedra” after a remarkably preserved fresco depicting the Greek myth of Hippolytus and Phaedra, this discovery offers a fresh perspective on Pompeii’s evolving architectural and cultural landscape in the 1st century AD.
The house, located along Via dell’Abondanza, is striking for its compact layout, omitting traditional features like the atrium, a staple of Roman homes in this era, according to a report by Pompeii Archaeological Park.
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The house is compact, but with stylish decorations. (Pompeii - Parco Archeologico)
A “Tiny House” with Lavish Decor
Unlike the majority of homes in Pompeii, the Casa di Fedra lacks an atrium with the typical rainwater-collecting basin, or impluvium, a feature commonly found even in modest Roman houses.
Instead, the residence maximizes its small space with intricate wall decorations, showcasing an array of mythological and botanical themes. These choices may reflect shifting trends in Roman society during the 1st century AD, as societal preferences evolved to accommodate changing economic conditions and social dynamics.
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The rooms are adorned with high quality frescoes, some of erotic scene of the gods. (Pompeii - Parco Archeologico)
Unfinished Spaces and Sacred Shrines
Archaeologists have identified that parts of the Casa di Fedra were still under construction at the time of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, suggesting the homeowner’s ambitions were yet unrealized. Just beyond the narrow entrance corridor lies a small larario—a private altar adorned with vivid animal and plant motifs, where Romans would perform daily rituals. Within the altar’s niche, researchers found ritual objects, including a ceramic perfume burner and a askos (a spouted vessel) with burn marks, suggesting they were used in religious offerings shortly before the disaster.
Small larario - a private altar adorned with vivid animal and plant motifs. (Pompeii - Parco Archeologico)
Insights into Pompeii’s Social Shifts
This latest discovery not only enhances our understanding of daily life and domestic choices in Pompeii but also adds context to the city’s adaptation to broader changes in the Roman Empire. The Casa di Fedra reflects a lifestyle that diverges from traditional designs, aligning instead with the increasingly diverse ways Pompeii’s residents expressed social identity and religious practices.
As the Parco Archeologico di Pompei continues to reveal Pompeii’s hidden layers, this tiny yet richly appointed home reminds us that even modest dwellings could house lives of depth, ritual, and artistic grandeur.’
Top image: Hippolytus and Phaedra fresco at the tiny Phaedra house in Pompeii. Source: Pompeii - Parco Archeologico
By Gary Manners
