The YouTube channel STORI3D PAST Productions presents a wonderful digital remastering of what the House of Sallust, also known as the House of Actaeon, in Pompeii could have looked like in its original form. This site is special because of how well-preserved the intricate wall decoration was when it was excavated in the late 18th century.
Watercolour of the fresco of Actaeon and Atrium of the House of Sallust used as
Diana in the House of Sallust by Josef a backdrop for La Scala's production of
Theodor Hansen (1886). Giovanni Pacini's opera 'L'Ultimo
Giorno di Pompei' hand-coloured by
Alessandro Sanquirico (1827).
In the early 19th century, the House of Sallust was depicted through painting by many Renaissance artists. This was especially lucky because some of the house was damaged by a bomb in the Second World War; so, these paintings were useful for restoration.
The House of Sallust is broadly representative of what a typical home owned by the wealthy upper class would have looked like. The first room you come to in the video is called an atrium. This is like a courtyard and has a roofless sky light in order to increase daylight and fresh air. There would have been a decorative water feature below this skylight in order to collect rainwater. Wealthy Roman houses tended to be located in the centre of a town, so the atrium was necessary in order to create a sense of separation from the busy street of the town, compared to the private family home at the back.
The atrium was at the centre of the house. Dining rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens would have been built around this central space. Rooms for slaves would also have to be accounted for. However, it is important to remember that houses like these would only have been the reality for a small percentage of rich Roman elites. Ordinary Romans would have lived in more modest and smaller accommodations, usually accompanied by a shop at the front and a workshop in the back that related to their trade.
Bibliography and Further Reading
The video that this article discusses. Involves a good voice-over outlining the different features of the house.
Official tourist information about the House of Sallust. Shows where the site is in relation to the rest of the city of Pompeii. Offers advice on how to get there, different events, and tours. Provides high-resolution images of what the site looks like now.
Highlights some different features of the house.
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