II.4.3 Pompeii. House of Julia Felix or Complesso di Giulia Felice or Praedia di Giulia Felice.

II.4.2 Pompeii. Steps to upper floor.

II.4.6 Pompeii. Baths complex.

II.4.10 Pompeii. Rear entrance, kitchen and latrine.

Excavated 1754 to 1757 then re-interred, 1912, 1933, fully re-excavated 1951.

Quick Outline

This page has been created to give an appreciation of the main rooms and areas of the beautiful properties known as the Praedia, Complex or House of Julia Felix.      

Some of the photos here relate to II.4.2/3, and some to II.4.6. 

Other areas of the Complex of Julia Felix can be seen at II.4.1/4/5/7/8/9/10/11 and 12.

Detail

If you are then interested to see more detail, the rooms are shown in greater detail in these subsequent parts.

II.4.3 House      II.4.2 Steps       II.4.6 Baths      II.4.10 Rear entrance, Kitchen, Latrine      II.4.7 Thermopolium with Dining area

Detailed photos of entire insula

II.4.4, 11.4.3 (open doorway) and II.4.2, Pompeii. September 2019. Doorways on south side of Via dell’Abbondanza.

The doorway on the right, II.4.2, originally would have led to steps to the upper floor. Photo courtesy of Klaus Heese.

II.4.3 Pompeii. April 2019. Entrance doorway, which leads into the atrium. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

II.4.3. Pompeii. March 2014. Looking across impluvium in atrium towards south side of atrium.

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

The doorway in the centre leading onto the west portico of the garden area.

The doorway on the right leading through to various living areas, see also II.4.10/11/12.

II.4.3 Pompeii. April 2019.

Looking south along east wall of atrium, with doorway to area with furnace for the baths. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

II.4.3 Pompeii. April 2023. Paintings of the Forum frieze, on display in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum.

Above (inv. 9063) – Vendita di tessuti, pentolame e pane davanti a colonnato.

(Sale of fabrics, pots and pans and bread in front of a colonnade.)  Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Part of the famous “Forum Frieze” which were found on the various walls of the atrium.

This painting known as “Sale of clothing, pots and other objects” was found on east wall of the atrium. 

(See main pages of II.4.3 for other photos of the Forum Frieze).

II.4.3/6 Pompeii. September 2019. Looking south-east across garden, from west portico. Photo courtesy of Klaus Heese.

II.4.3 Pompeii. September 2019. Looking towards south-west corner of atrium. Photo courtesy of Klaus Heese.

II.4.3 Pompeii. September 2019.

Looking south along rear corridor leading towards II.4.10/11/12, from atrium.

Photo courtesy of Klaus Heese.

II.4.6 Pompeii. December 2018.

Looking south to steps to entrance doorway. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

II.4.6 Pompeii. August 2021.

Looking south from entrance doorway towards south portico in Baths’ area. Photo courtesy of Robert Hanson.

II.4.6 Pompeii. May 2017.

Looking towards north-east corner with benches under portico. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

II.4.6 Pompeii. April 2019.

Looking towards the east side and south-east corner of the portico of the baths, from entrance doorway.

The doorway in the south-east corner leading to the garden area with swimming pool.

Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

II.4.6 Pompeii. May 2017. Looking across flooring towards north-west corner. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

According to PPM, there was a low basin in the centre of the courtyard, functioning as an impluvium.

In the bottom, there was a large black and white mosaic with a marine scene with dolphins and tritones.

This was found between 30th November and 7th December 1755.

It was removed and taken away during the Bourbon period.

See Carratelli, G. P., 1990-2003. Pompei: Pitture e Mosaici: Vol. III. Roma: Istituto della enciclopedia italiana, p. 208.

II.4.6 Pompeii. Black and white mosaic showing a furnaceman and a marine scene set in floor of Naples Museum.

DAIR 78.1147. Photo © Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Abteilung Rom, Arkiv.

According to Marietta de Vos, this was provenanced from the baths of the Praedia di Julia Felix and is now in the floor of Naples Archaeological Museum, piano nobile, giro interno, Sala III, pavimento.

See Dell’Orto, L. F. (ed), 1993. Ercolano 1738-1988: 250 anni di ricerca archeologica: Atti del Convegno internazionale. SAP Monografie 6, p. 115, pl. XXII.

There is a photo of a mosaic with a similar castellated pattern (but with a different centre) in VI.1.7/25, which presumably would have been found a few years later, after this one. The mosaic would have been seen in Gli Ornati (pt.2.1808, and also 1838).

See Gli ornati delle pareti ed i pavimenti delle stanze dell'antica Pompei incisi in rame: 1808 and 1838, no. 41.

II.4.6 Pompeii. September 2017. Mosaic floor with a marine scene with dolphins and tritones.

On display in Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

II.4.6 Pompeii. September 2017.

Black and white mosaic from centre of floor showing a furnaceman and a marine scene set in floor of Naples Museum.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

II.4.6 Pompeii. December 2018.

Looking north-west across swimming pool, towards doorway into portico of baths’ area (in centre), with 11.4.7, on right.

Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

II.4.6 Pompeii. December 2018.

Looking south-west across swimming pool towards entrance to latrine, in centre. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

II.4.6 Pompeii. December 2006. Latrine

According to Hobson, there is evidence that the water from the pool was relayed through the multi-seat latrine to wash the effluent into a cesspit.

He quoted Parslow 2000: 201 and Plan 203.

See Hobson, B., 2009. Latrinae et foricae: Toilets in the Roman World. London; Duckworth. (p. 127).

II.4.6 Pompeii. September 2019.

Looking north-east across garden area towards south side of baths’ building, from west portico. Photo courtesy of Klaus Heese.

II.4.6 Pompeii. May 2017.

Frigidarium/apodyterium, looking towards north wall and doorway from portico/atrium. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

II.4.6 Pompeii. May 2017.

Frigidarium/apodyterium, looking towards south wall, with doorway to garden area near latrine, centre left.

Looking south towards the basin/pool with three windows, centre right. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

II.4.6 Pompeii. May 2017.

Frigidarium/apodyterium, detail of east side of basin/pool. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

II.4.6 Pompeii. December 2006. 

Frigidarium/apodyterium, detail of west side, and doorway to tepidarium or warm bath-room with remains of a black and white mosaic threshold.

II.4.6 Pompeii. May 2017.

Looking west across tepidarium or warm bath-room towards doorway to caldarium. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

II.4.6 Pompeii. May 2017. Tepidarium, looking towards north wall, with doorway to laconicum, on left. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

II.4.6 Pompeii. May 2017. Looking north through doorway to laconicum, from tepidarium. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

II.4.6 Pompeii. March 2019.

Looking north-east from west portico across garden towards baths’ area, with large window from caldarium, on left.

Foto Taylor Lauritsen, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

II.4.6 Pompeii. December 2018. Looking south along west wall of portico. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

II.4.6 Pompeii. September 2019.

Looking towards west wall of portico, with large doorway to summer triclinium, on the left. Photo courtesy of Klaus Heese.

II.4.6 Pompeii. December 2006. Doorway to room with two doorways to a corridor in its west wall.

In the south wall, on the left, is a doorway leading into the room on the north side of summer triclinium.

II.4.6 Pompeii. December 2006.

Looking through doorway from west portico into room with two doorways in its west wall into a corridor, at the rear.

II.4.6 Pompeii. December 2006.  Looking north in rear corridor, with room with two doorways on right.

II.4.6 Pompeii. December 2018. Looking north along west portico towards doorway into II.4.2/3. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

II.4.6 Pompeii. December 2006. Doorway to room to north of summer triclinium, and wall decoration in portico.

II.4.6 Pompeii. August 2021. Looking towards west wall of room on north side of summer triclinium. Photo courtesy of Robert Hanson.

II.4.6. Pompeii. August 2021. Looking west from portico into summer triclinium.

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

II.4.6. Pompeii. August 2021. Looking north-east across garden area from west portico.

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

II.4.6 Pompeii. April 2019. Looking north along pool in garden area. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer. 

II.4.6 Pompeii. September 2019. Looking towards painted west wall of portico, near its southern end.

The doorway of the room, pictured below, is on the right. Photo courtesy of Klaus Heese.

II.4.6 Pompeii. August 2021.

Looking west from entrance doorway in room near south end of west portico. Photo courtesy of Robert Hanson.

II.4.6 Pompeii. August 2021. West wall of portico near its southern end. Photo courtesy of Robert Hanson.

II.4.6 Pompeii. September 2019.

Looking west into room on south side of previous room, with doorway to rear corridor in its west wall.

Photo courtesy of Klaus Heese.

II.4.6 Pompeii. December 2006. Looking north along rear corridor.

II.4.6/10 Pompeii. April 2019. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer. 

Looking south into atrium of II.4.10, from top of steps at south end of portico of II.4.6.

To view these rooms, see II.4.10.

II.4.10 Pompeii. June 2019.

Looking east towards exterior façade with window into biclinium, from near steps leading down into atrium from portico.

Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

Towards the left of the photo is the entrance to the walkway across the garden and leading to II.4.9, garden entrance on the south side.

II.4.10/6 Pompeii. September 2019.

Looking south into garden area from doorway on west side of house, on right. Photo courtesy of Klaus Heese.

II.4.10 Pompeii. August 2021. Looking west across garden area towards exterior façade.

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

Looking west towards exterior façade with windows from two bedrooms, on left, the tablinum, centre right, and biclinium, on right.

In the area on the right, in the brick wall, would have been a small structure known as the sacrarium.

II.4.6 Pompeii. 1807. Engraving of the sacrarium.

According to Boyce, on three walls of a small sacellum-like room with vaulted ceiling, were sacred paintings.

These were done on a white background above a dado filled with plants.

In the centre, was Isis seated upon a throne.

On her left stood Anubis, wearing a dark garment and sandals, his head turned towards Isis.

On the left side wall were poorly preserved figures, a woman who seemed to be rolling a globe on the floor, and a male figure holding a cornucopia.

On the right of Isis in the centre, stood a poorly preserved figure holding a staff in right, and a cornucopia in the left hand.

On the right-side wall stood a female figure, holding in her right hand, a shallow dish with eggs and fruit, which she is offering to a serpent.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14.  (p.95, no.471)

Piranesi described it as “Niche dans le temple d’Isis a Pompeia”.

Fröhlich attributed it to this house and comments that Piranesi and Helbig contradict each other on some points.

This sacrarium was taken to the Museum at Portici and reconstructed there, and then transferred to the National Museum.

By around 1885, it had faded and perished apart from the lower portion showing the serpents.

In Naples Archaeological Museum it was inventory number 9693.

See Pagano, M. and Prisciandaro, R., 2006. Studio sulle provenienze degli oggetti rinvenuti negli scavi borbonici del regno di Napoli.  Naples: Nicola Longobardi. (p.17 and note 47).

See Piranesi F., 1807. Antiquités de la Grande Grèce, aujourd'hui royaume de Naples. Paris: Etablissement des Beaux-Arts. (Plate 1).

See Fröhlich, T., 1991. Lararien und Fassadenbilder in den Vesuvstädten. Mainz: von Zabern. (L40, p. 265, Taf 30,1).

See Helbig, W., 1868. Wandgemälde der vom Vesuv verschütteten Städte Campaniens. Leipzig: Breitkopf und Härtel. (No 79).

See Parslow, C.C. (1998). Rediscovering Antiquity: Karl Weber and the Excavation of Herculaneum, Pompeii and Stabiae. UK, Cambridge UP (p.110, & p.345, notes 8 & 9)

II.4.10 Pompeii. 1964. Vicolo di Giulia Felice, looking east towards entrance doorway.

Exterior west wall (without showing any of the graffiti underneath). Photo by Stanley A. Jashemski.

Source: The Wilhelmina and Stanley A. Jashemski archive in the University of Maryland Library, Special Collections (See collection page) and made available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial License v.4. See Licence and use details.

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II.4.10 Pompeii. May 2011.

Exterior west wall in Vicolo di Giulia Felice, on north side of doorway, showing multiple layers of graffiti or painted plaster.

L. Ceium Secundum aed… can be clearly read. Photo courtesy of Michael Binns.

II.4.10 Pompeii. July 2014.

Exterior west wall on north side of doorway in Vicolo di Giulia Felice with layers of painted inscription. Photo courtesy of Davide Peluso.

The words are:
L•CEIVM•SECVNDVM / AED•ORPHAEVS•FACIT

According to Epigraphik-Datenbank Clauss/Slaby (See www.manfredclauss.de) this reads

L(ucium) Ceium Secundum

aed(ilem) Orphaeus facit      [CIL IV 10952]

II.4.7 Pompeii. December 2018. Thermopolium.

Looking south-east across bar-room from entrance on Via dell’Abbondanza to doorway to room with multiple seating and tables.

Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

II.4.7 Pompeii. December 2006. Stone seats and tables in compartments.