Recently, researchers working on the archaeological site in Pompeii have discovered a huge dining room with stunning frescoes painted on the wall. The paintings are of characters belonging to the Greek mythology. It seems that in addition to enjoying meals, the contemporary people of Pompeii were also enjoying views of these beautiful frescoes. These stunning frescoes are painted on a black wall. Here are all of the other important details about this latest archaeological discovery.
Stunning Frescoes Discovered At Pompeii’s Archaeological Site
I *adore* this new fresco from
Pompeii! It’s titled ‘Apollo attempts to seduce Cassandra’, but I first thought a casual Apollo quizzing a Delphic priestess sitting on the omphalos?
Hear me out: did folk initially think ‘attempted seduction’ because of the look on her face? pic.twitter.com/nrwO6Qg6Bu— L E Jenks-Brown ✏️🏺🖊 (@LEJenksBrown) April 11, 2024
According to an article which was recently published by CNN, the black walls were painted so to cover the smoke marks from oil lamps that were lit at the time. As per Gabriel Zuchtriegel cited in the article, people would meet at the banquet hall after sunset.
Gabriel Zuhtriegel is the director of the Archaeological Park in Pompeii. He said that in the flickering lights of the lamp, the figures painted on the walls would appear as if moving, especially if the attendees were inebriated.
The dining room is around 15 metres long and six metres wide. It has a staircase leading to the second floor and opens to a courtyard. There were even charcoal drawings found on the plaster of the arches. The drawings were of two gladiators and a stylised phallus.
Also Read: Archaeologists Have Discovered A 2,000-Year-Old Fresco Of Pizza In Ruins Of Ancient Pompeii!
About The Greek Mythological Characters Depicted On The Wall
Incredible new frescoes unearthed in Pompeii! The first fateful meeting of the Spartan princess Helen and the Trojan shepherd-prince Paris – who is accompanied by his delightful herding dog (seemingly a Molossian hound) who looks quite unimpressed by the whole proceeding! pic.twitter.com/jVUJuqKxZF
— Gareth Harney (@OptimoPrincipi) April 11, 2024
The walls exhibited Helen of Troy meeting Paris who was the son of King Priam. For those who may not know, the famous and legendary Trojan War was started when Helen was kidnapped by Paris. Helen was the wife of Menelaus.
In addition to this, there was even a scene depicting Cassandra and Apollo, the god. Cassandra is the daughter of Priam and she had the gift of prophecy. However, Apollo tried to seduce Cassandra but she refused his advances.
Subsequently, he cursed her so that nobody would believe her prophecies. She warned of the Trojan War but owing to her curse, nobody believed her.
Would you have liked to dine in such a banquet hall? Let us know in the comments section below!
Cover Image Credits: @OptimoPrincipi/X (Formerly, Twitter)
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