The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-22
HOUSE OF GOLDEN CupIDs.
Interesting Discovery in Buried City
of Pompeii.


excavation of Herculaneum at interna-
tlonal expense unfortunately failed,
owing to the objections Of the Italian
government. But 1t is to be remember
cd that not all of Pompeii has yet been
uncovered, and that excavations are
now going on in that city from which
50 many treasures of antiquity have al
ready been recovered. 1t rs possible
that any day there may be heralded
the discovery of some new treasure
which will either give a new sample
OF ancient art or a new key to ancient
history and Roman life, since Pompeii
was thoroughly Romanized. A remark
ably interesting discovery was made
when the so-called House of the Golden
Cupfds was uncovered.
The House of the Golden Cupids, or
the New House. is, as the guide will
tell you. the most recent excavation at
Pompe11, and was opened in 1906. If
memory is not at fault, it is located in
section Is of region 6, near the corner
where the Vicolo di Mercurio intersects
the Strada Stabiane, and directly across
the street from the unexcavated region
0, at the northeast corner of the city.
By stdying the crumbling bank left by
the workmen at this point, the traveller
readily discerns the vari-colored layers
of material that spread a mantle over
the Roman city, beginning with and
subsequent to the great eruption of 79.
That the excavation is a recent one is
evident from the fact that Baedeker
of 1904 makes no mention Of the New
House." and a diHgent search among
books and periodicals appearing since
that year failed to bring to light any
writing bearing upon 1t.
The New House" does not differ
materially, save in size, perhaps, from
the homes of other wealthy Pom
peiians already uncovered. A few
hours in the city permits of only a
hurried inspection, and unless the WIS.,
itor is conscious of the Importance
of some particular excavation-as he
was not in this case-description
from memory is apt to err. Passing
in from the street, the visitor at once
enters the peristyle, which has a log
gia running around it's four sides, and
off which open doors leading to the
living and sleeping rooms of the
house. A large portion Of the peri
protect the flower garden growing
there, as perhaps it did 1000 years
ago. Along the two sides of the gar
den in straight lines are several mar
BILE heads and busts on pedestals;
broken statues and marbles, on the
basin, probably the remains Of
fountain. The north loggia is reach
ed from the perfstyle through the
center arch by means of four stone
loggias, and 1t will be observed that
suspended directly in the middle is
marble or plaster medallion fanked
by two masks Beyond this are
rooms having remnants of mosaic
floors and wall paintings In a fair
state of preservation.
The golden cupids, from which the
house takes its name, are in room
on the right. or east, side of the peri
style, and are the most carefully
guarded treasures of the New
House." The chamber had evident
ly been used as a sleeping apartment
possibly for children-and on three
sides of it are indentations Of perhaps
an inch in the plaster, four or five
inches in diameter, resembling
ships portfolio, and are covered with
glass. At the back Of each is a beau
tiful cupid in goldleaf. Only one,
however-that on the left at the en-
francis in perfect condition. The
one opposite is without its lower half,
and the one at the end of the room is
almost totally destroyed. With the
wall paintings, traces of which still
remain, these dainty results of some
artists handiwork must have delight
ed the eyes of little Pompeiians as
they sparkled in the brilliant sun
light before that dark day SO many
centuries ago, when the little Roman
city was blotted out. The iron gate
leading to this room is always locked,
and only those accompanied by rec
ognized authorities on Pompeii,
whose standing gives them entry ev
erywhere, are permitted to enter
Springfield Republican.