Old is gold | Visiting Samnite House in Herculaneum

What is Samnite House?

The Samnite House in Herculaneum is one of the oldest houses found among the ruins. Experts believe that it stood tall even about 300 years before Vesuvius’ eruption. With its fine atrium, decorative friezes and stuccoed walls, it is believed to belong to an aristocratic family of pre-Roman times, hence the name ‘Samnite House’. 

However, the house’s peristyle was eventually removed from the main property and another residence was built in its place. What remains of the preserved Samnite House today is just the atrium and a few rooms. Read on to know what you can see and admire inside this ancient house. 

History of Samnite House

Origins

The Samnite House in Herculaneum traces its origins to before the arrival of the Romans, as evidenced by a preference for faux-marble walls. Likely constructed during the 2nd to 1st centuries BC. Named after the Samnites, an ancient Italic people who occupied Herculaneum in the 5th and 6th century BC, the house reflects the historical and cultural context of the time.

Destruction and rediscovery

Like every other structure in Herculaneum, the Samnite House too was unspared from wrath of Vesuvius in 79 AD. The volcanic ash and pyroclastic flows enveloped the city in layers of protective material.

Rediscovered in the 18th century during systematic excavations, the Samnite House emerged from centuries of obscurity. Starting from Maiuri's column restoration in the atrium, the efforts of archaeologists in preserving this ancient house are ongoing. The house's preservation not only offers insights into Roman architectural styles and urban living but also provides a tangible connection to the daily lives and cultural influences of Herculaneum's inhabitants during antiquity.

Samnite House today

Samnite House is a draw for tourists and history scholars alike. Its age, combined with its well-preserved spaces and captivating frescoes make it a must-visit spot.