House of the Golden Cupids, Pompei
The House of the Golden Cupids was first excavated between 1903 and 1905. It is situated on the via del Vesuvio, and is believed to have been owned by Gnaeus Poppaeus Habitus, a wealthy local figure. Hidden behind an unremarkable fa莽ade, the house is renowned for several ornate third style artworks discovered on its walls. Dating from the end of the reign of Augustus Caesar, the third style is defined by delicate, colourful frescoes, influenced by Egyptian art.
The walls of the house feature a number of red and yellow panels with elaborate paintings at their centre. Whilst many of the artworks have faded, there are a number of surviving artworks depicting mythical scenes. In the atrium, the only surviving panel is a fresco of Helen and Paris meeting at Sparta. The exedra, an alcove off to one side of the atrium, features a number of large panels depicting scenes from Roman life. Both the exedra and tablinum, or main living room, have fine mosaics on their floors.
The building gained its name from two glass discs, found in a cubiculum, with cherubs etched onto them. The room also features a remarkable fourth style decoration 鈥� a symmetrical pattern of painted red and yellow patterned hexagons, which almost resembles modern wallpaper. Many of the rooms also feature frescoes on their ceilings, making the house one of the most heavily decorated in the city.
The walls of the house feature a number of red and yellow panels with elaborate paintings at their centre. Whilst many of the artworks have faded, there are a number of surviving artworks depicting mythical scenes. In the atrium, the only surviving panel is a fresco of Helen and Paris meeting at Sparta. The exedra, an alcove off to one side of the atrium, features a number of large panels depicting scenes from Roman life. Both the exedra and tablinum, or main living room, have fine mosaics on their floors.
The building gained its name from two glass discs, found in a cubiculum, with cherubs etched onto them. The room also features a remarkable fourth style decoration 鈥� a symmetrical pattern of painted red and yellow patterned hexagons, which almost resembles modern wallpaper. Many of the rooms also feature frescoes on their ceilings, making the house one of the most heavily decorated in the city.
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House of the Golden Cupids on Map
Sight Name: House of the Golden Cupids
Sight Location: Pompei, Italy (See walking tours in Pompei)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Pompei, Italy (See walking tours in Pompei)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Pompei, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Pompei
Creating your own self-guided walk in Pompei is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Pompeii Introduction Walk I
Modern-day Pompei is best known for its ancient predecessor, the Roman city of Pompeii, that fell victim to the massive eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The ruins of Pompeii, first uncovered in the late 18th century, were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997. Presently, this is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy, drawing annually up to 2.5 million visitors.
The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Pompeii Introduction Walk II
Frozen at the moment it was buried under the thick blanket of ash and pumice, the city of Pompeii (now excavated) remains a unique window into the past, offering a snapshot of everyday life back in the 1st century AD Roman Empire. Aside from causing quick and unexpected death to the city, the huge eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD did have one positive outcome 鈥� it preserved everything (properties,... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles