Hic habitat felicitas

In the first century AD, the ruling class of Pompeii was in direct contact with Rome and the imperial court. The city was filled with luxurious dwellings.

The homes of aristocrats and nouveau riche had fountains, gardens, sculptures, and precious painted walls in reception rooms. Interiors contained all kinds of furnishings: beds for sleeping or socializing, marble tables, tripods, braziers, stools, candelabra.

The style showed enormous Greek influence, borrowed from Rome.

“I know all about silverware,”

says Trimalchio in Petronius’ Satyricon, bragging from Pozzuoli that he owned 100 silver sups for his banquets.

But Pompeii was up to the challenge: 118 silver items were found at the House of Menander and 108 in the Villa Pisanella, in Boscoreale. But the most interesting was a recent discovery, the treasure of Moregine, a district near Pompeii. A priceless silver banquet service for four, weighing four kilos, a stunning exhibition of luxuria privata.

62 AD: this world of luxury and affluence was suddenly wiped out. 

The earthquake