Pompei in Città Metropolitana di Napoli, Campania, Italy — Southern Italy (Tyrrhenian Coast)
Casa del Menandro / House of Menander
Photographed By James Hulse, June 12, 2023
1. Casa del Menandro / House of Menander Marker
Riportata alla luce tra il 1926 e il 1932, la Casa del Menandro deve il nome al ritratto dell'omonimo commediografo greco rinvenuto su una delle pareti dell'abitazione. Con una superficie di 1830 metri quadrati, risultato di una lunga serie di cambiamenti dal III secolo a.C. fino all'epoca dell'eruzione, è una delle case più ricche della città: il suo proprietario doveva essere un aristocratico impegnato in politica. Dalle decorazioni parietali e pavimentali percepiamo gusto e stile di vita di questo personaggio, nonché l'arte di pittori e mosaicisti attivi a Pompei negli anni immediatamente precedenti l'eruzione del 79 d.C.
Il mosaico con scena nilotica, che decorava il triclinio invernale aperto sul peristilio, rimanda al mondo favoloso dei pigmei, tema particolarmente diffuso nel repertorio figurativo pompeiano. I pigmei appaiono qui deformi, grotteschi, con gambe corte, glutei sporgenti e teste ingrossate, di diversa età, intenti alla navigazione su barchette fluviali lungo il corso del Nilo, tra animali e vegetazione, non molto distanti dalla sponda del fiume. Il tema scelto - affrontato
this page online
House of Menander
Brought back to light between 1926 and 1932, the House of Menander is named after the portrait of the Greek dramatist Menander found on one of the walls of the house. With a surface area of 1,830 m², the result of a long series of changes from the 3rd century BC to time of the eruption, it is one of the city's richest houses. Its owner must have been an aristocrat involved in politics. The wall and floor decorations speak volumes about the owner's taste and lifestyle, but they also tell us about the art of the painters and mosaicists active in Pompeii in the years just before the eruption in 79 AD.
The mosaic depicting a Nilotic scene refers to the fabulous world of the pygmies, a theme that was especially widespread in the Pompeiian figurative repertory. Here, the pygmies appear to be deformed, grotesque, short-legged with prominent buttocks and enlarged heads, and of different ages. They can be seen navigating on small river boats along the Nile, amidst animals and plants, situated not far from the banks of the river. The theme chosen - expressed with a sense of irony in this case - harks
Photographed By James Hulse, June 12, 2023
2. The House of Menander and Marker
Erected by Egitto Pompei.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Anthropology & Archaeology. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.
Location. 40° 44.985′ N, 14° 29.388′ E. Marker is in Pompei, Campania, in Città Metropolitana di Napoli. Marker is at the intersection of Viale delle Ginestre and Via villa dei Misteri on Viale delle Ginestre. The marker is located in the main courtyard for the House of Menander. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pompei, Campania 80045, Italy. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Casa del Menandro / House of Menander (a few steps from this marker); Casa del Menandro (ricostruzione del carro) / House of Menander (within shouting distance of this marker); Terme Stabiane / Stabian Baths (about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line); Teatro Grande e Quadriportico/ (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Foro / Forum (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Santuario di Apollo / Sanctuary of Apollo (approx. half a kilometer away); Pompei Giubileo [Pompeii Jubilee] 2000
Photographed By James Hulse, June 12, 2023
3. The mosaic floor behind the marker at the House of Menander
More about this marker. The marker is located in the Pompeii Archaeological Park.
Also see . . . House of the Menander. Archaeological Park of Pompeii
The construction of the house was part of a complicated series of events, and is a typical example of a home of a high-ranking family.The atrium has frescoes with scenes from the Iliad and the Odyssey. The peristyle is rhodium-shaped, with the north side higher. The house owes its name to a picture of Menander, an Athenian playwriter, placed in the portico. The house has a small thermal area below which there is a basement, perhaps a cellar, where a box was found with 118 pieces of silverware, now on display at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.(Submitted on July 18, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed By James Hulse, June 12, 2023
4. The portrait of Greek dramatist Menander on the wall of the house
Photographed By James Hulse, June 12, 2023
5. The courtyard at the House of Menander
Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 41 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 18, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
