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House of the Tragic Poet |
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The Atrium |
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The atrium originally was
the bedroom of the mother of the family in an old Latin household. Hence a
bed lectus genialis stood opposite the main entrance. The Romans kept
the bed standing, as a symbol of the sanctity of marriage.
The impluvium was the shallow pool sunk into the floor to catch the rainwater. Some surviving examples are beautifully decorated. The atrium of the House of the Tragic Poet was unusually luxurious. Its walls largely repeat the pictorial scheme of the vestibule with the addition of acanthus volutes above the middle zone, surmounted by battle scenes. The excellent quality wall paintings are almost all of the Trojan cycle.
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