The painted walls of this dining room are well preserved. It is known for naturally rendered, wicker basket of figs placed below an arch. The paintings depict architectural spaces with decorated marble columns, statues of divinities, and a colonnade similar to the one in the oecus.

On the east wall (photos 10 and 15), a false window with false columns of Numidian marble opens into a false perpendicular hallway. Its left side (photo 10) is open to an imaginary garden, seen between a row of ionic columns. A shield hangs from the top of the window, apparently bearing the image of Vulcan (Hephaistos), the god of fire and metal-working.

Note what appear to be iron connecting rods that penetrate the pilasters. These rods would not contribute to the ability of the structure to sustain normal compressive loads of a roof or second story; and contribute only to its shear strength, which is only relevant in times of seismic activity. That a painter included such structural elements in imaginary architecture might suggest that Romans had discovered that such elements provide necessary shear strength in earthquake-prone areas, and were proud enough of this knowledge to incorporate it into the painting, even though such elements have a neutral to negative impact on esthetics. The bust of Vulcan on the shield might also be associated with this aspect of metal-working as much as it is with the gold griffins, bronze censers and silver kraters also shown in the painting.

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Copyright 2007 Bill Storage.