ABSTRACT
Many houses had a shrine in their main reception room (atrium) or kitchen. This example, from the House of the Vettii is particularly lavish; it is located in a secondary atrium next to the kitchen. In the pediment can be seen a libation dish (patera) at the centre, a knife to the right, and a skeletal ox-head to the left. Below, in the painting, at the centre appears the figure of the genius, dressed in a toga, with veiled head. He is carrying a libation dish (patera) in his right hand and incense-box in his left. On either side of him the Lares (household gods) appear as youthful male figures dressed in tunics, carrying drinking-horns and a wine bucket. At the bottom a snake slithers towards offerings upon a small altar.
