File:Pompeii, its life and art (1902) (14784675573).jpg

Identifier: pompeiiitslifear00maua (find matches)
Title: Pompeii, its life and art
Year: 1902 (1900s)
Authors: Mau, August, 1840-1909 Kelsey, Francis W. (Francis Willey), 1858-1927
Subjects:
Publisher: New York : Macmillan
Contributing Library: Getty Research Institute
Digitizing Sponsor: Sloan Foundation

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Text Appearing Before Image:
of Augustus inconnection with that of the Lares, — et Laribits tiiiivi Miscetnnnicii. On the rear wall of a little chapel in a garden is apainted altar at the right of which stands Jupiter, at the left aGenius, each pouring a libation. We can scarcely believe thatthe Genius of an ordinary man would thus be placed as it wereon an equality with the ruler of heaven; more likely the Geniusof an emperor is represented, perhaps that of Claudius. Theface is not unlike the face of Claudius, and the painting is on awall decorated in the third style (Ins. VII. xi. 4). In another house (IX. viii. 13) two Genii are painted, andunder one of them is scratched in large letters EX SC, un-doubtedly for ex soiatus consulto, — in accordance with a decreeof the Senate. We are probably safe in assuming that thedecree referred to is that of the reign of Augustus, by which theworship of the Lares was regulated (Dio Cass. LI. xix. 7); if so,the figure is intended to represent the Genius of that emperor.
Text Appearing After Image:
Fig. 127. — Shrine in the house of the \ettii.In the middle the CJenius, with libation saucer and box of incense; at the sides, the twoLares, each with a drinking horn and pail; below, a crested serpent about to partakeof the offerings. 271 2 72 POMPEII The face of the Genius in the house of the Vettii (Fig. 127)bears a decided resemblance to that of Nero. Here the shrinewas placed in the rear wall of the smaller atrium. It consistsof a broad, shallow niche, the front of which is elaboratelyornamented to give the appearance of a little temple, while onthe back are painted the household divinities. The Geniusstands with veiled head between the two Lares, holding in hisleft hand a box of incense and pouring a libation with the right.In the original painting the features were unusually distinct. The Penates were the protecting divinities of the provisionsor stores, pciuis, and the storerooms of the house; under thisname were included various gods to whom the master and thehousehold off

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