The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-04-10
Ehe aa1irta Daily EAGLE: 1rdau zorm,o April 1896
DISCOVERIES AT PoMeEH.
Perfectly Preserved Roman Mansion DOG
Out by Sig. Cozza.

Perfectly Preserved Roman Hznsion Dos
Out by Sig. Cola.
Hampered continually by the
strained condition of it's budget, the
Italian government is carrying on ex.
cavations at Pompeii and this locality
remains an inexhaustible field of dis
ccvery. Under the direction of Sig
Cozza, engineer in charge of the exec
vations, whole Roman mansion has
been discovered lately. the decorations
and furniture of which are in a perfect
state of preservation. This house was
q very important town. 1t occupied q
whole isola. or city block, in the north
ern part of the town. The inside yard,
as was customary, is in . rectangular
it's four sides by portico supported
by 10 Corinthian columns. Between
these columns were found nine white
marble vasques, four tables resting on
a base decorated with chimera's legs,
and nine Statuettes of Bacchus, fauns
and cupids. The walls are richly Or
namented. The different rooms, which
open on the atrium, are embellished
with frescoes of the highest interest.
On the walls of the main hall is frieze
outstretching with the most exquisite
taste and spirited execution. 1t rep
resents scenes of everyday life. with
winged cupids as performers. Many
subjects of similar style have already
been found in Pompeii. but none so
well preserved and of such delicate re-
fnement.
One of these scenes represents q
wreath shop" on one side the mai-
ing, on the other side the sale of the
wreaths is figured. Further is q full
er's workroomL" Two women are
tresding on the cloth, which is lying in
q large bucket; a little farther are seen
two cupids stretching wet cloth ON
drying loom. Another cupid shows
to the forewomen the work to do. AT
the right of this composition, and end
ing it, are two women folding the dry
cloth which has been brought to
them.
A goldsmith shop is not less inter
eeting. A cupid is at the desk weigh
ing ON a scale ajewel which a rich lady
customer, seated facing him, has just
selected, while the cupids are hammer
Ing on delicate anvil silver and gold
objects. Next is chariot race" This
fresco gives a wonderful idea of the
circus performances. Standing on
their narrow chariot, drawn by ante
lopes are four drivers. Dressed with
colored vests, like our modern jockeys,
they are pressing their speedy teams
and striving with daspI ration. Besides
the graceful frieze mentioned above
three separate fresco panels constitute
the main decoration Their dimen-
sions are about a square meter, that is |
to say. surface of about ten square |
feet. They represent various episodes |
Of the Theban legendary history.
The first one shows the infant Her
cules smothering the snakes which |
Juno in her jealous anger has sent |
against him. This episode appears
ON beautiful coin of Crotena and is
well known to those familiar with |
the medallic history of the American
period. Taking bis ip-
SEPARATION from the antique. Benjamin
Franklin caused q medal to be struck
at tho Paris mint on which Yoeng
America 81 personified by the child hero
In his cradle stranghng the two SER
penis.
These snakes represent Btrgoyne's
and Corvallis armies. On tho reverse
,f tho said medal are the dates Of their
coupled with the glorious
James of Saratoga and Yorktown. In
he Pornpeiian fresco Jupiter Il seated
IN throne and contemplating with a
smile the infant here's exploit,
While Alcnena, bis mother. hidden be.
hind the god, follows with se1ni-an-
yuished, semi-admirng eyes the prog
ass of tho struggle. The idea Of the
nfant Hercules strangling two serpents
8 syn1bolical to the victory Of Light
'ver Darkness, Of Good over Evil, and
If free and united Hellas over barber-
sm and tyranny. This painting Is par
interesting. as it may be G
'opy Of the famous composition b;
,euxis mentioned by Pliny.
In the second picture Amphion sasd
,ethus are represented taking revenge
N Dirce, who, after causing her mother,
Antiope, TO be repndisted by her father,
4ycus, married him in her stead. They
re in the act of tying her to the tail of
wild bull.
The Staying of Penthea is painted
n the last panel. Incensed by Diony-
US, whose worship this king has pro
cribed in his dominions. the mother
nd sisters of Penthea have joined the
They have caught the TN
ortunate while he is watching them
nd. intoxicated with mad frenzy, they
ill him with their thyrses.
Generally all the pictures of impor>
ance e1humed at Pompen are trans
sTred to Naples, but an exception has
cen made in favor OF the newlv-d;s-
overed frescoes. They can be admired
t the site of their fnding.-Pbiladel-
hia Evening Telegram.
The Largest America Male.
The largest mule that ever walked on