Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Pompeii: Walking to the Theater past the Triangular Forum

 We can't remember what route we took when we left the forum area to head for the theater. We may have taken Via delle Sculoa, Vicolo dei 12 Dei, or Via dei Testri - we're just not sure. Whichever path we took, we ran across this area. I'm not sure if it is a home or some other building. If you know, please write and tell me!
 The mosaic on the floor was marvelous...very good condition.
Here are a few of the pictures on the wall frescoes....
 And another. One of my regrets from this trip is that it looks like we just barely missed stumbling upon Terme Stabiane, the Stabian Baths. Oh well, that gives us something to explore on the next trip.
 Another fine wall painting.
 I'm also not quite sure what this mosaic or building is called or where it is located. It is between the form and the theater somewhere.
 A close-up of the mosaic.





 As we drew near the theater, we came across the Triangular Forum, a small slice of land that borders the theater.
 At the nearby Temple of Isis, which also bordered the theater, the following inscription was found: "Numerius Popidius Celsinus, son of Numerius, restored the Temple of Isis from the ground up, after it had been totally destroyed by an earthquake. The Town Council, coopted him into their assembly when he was only six years old in consideration of his generosity."
Yes, the wealthy could purchase their entry into elite society even in Roman times. Or I should say, their parents could purchase their entry. A six year old would not have been rebuilding temples, he would have been playing with Legos. Okay, the ancient equivalent of Legos: rocks. And now, let's walk the last few feet and enter the theater.



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