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Contents
Old is gold | Visiting Samnite House in Herculaneum
Choose your Herculaneum ticketsSamnite House
Samnite House: Quick facts
- Official name: Samnite House / Casa Samnitica
- Location: Herculaneum, Naples, Italy
- Date of construction: Possibly 2nd century BCE
- Architectural style: Pre-Roman
- Notable features: Incrusted atrium, fauces, mosaic flooring
Architectural elements and layout of the Samnite House
The Samnite House is an example of a domus, or a residence that was favored by early Romans belonging to the aristocratic classes. Domuses typically followed a set construction style including the fauces, atrium, compluvium, impluvium, cubicula and triclinia, the details of which are explained below.
Fauces
The Fauces was a short and narrow passageway leading to the atrium. It is located at the entrance of the house. Its frescoes give the impression that the walls were made of marble, and the flooring is a deep wine with mosaic work. On either side of the fauces are two small cells.
The Atrium
The most impressive aspect of the Samnite House is possibly its atrium, which is the open-air structure of the dwelling that’s surrounded by the house. It is decorated in plaster that resembles ersatz marble, a style typical of pre-Roman architecture. Located in the atrium is the impluvium, a rectangular dip that collects rainwater from the roof opening, or the compluvium.
Cubicula, or the rooms
This particular house is a narrow structure with no rooms along its right side. Inside the atrium, on the left are two small cubicula or residential rooms. After the earthquake of 62 AD, it is believed that the rooms of the upper floor were rented out after being separated from the main structure.
The walls
The walls are roughly divided into two parts, the lower part which is covered with plaster, and the top portion that opens up to a colonnade. The walls also followed a technique called ‘incrustation’, where frescoes were painted in layers to give a marbling effect. Wall decoration was relied upon in those times to throw light into the room.
The upper story
The upper story, right below the compluvium (or what we can understand as a modern-day skylight), shows a lattice grill and an open gallery that has railings on three sides. The fourth side is an open space. The walls in the upper floor had paintings, and its rooms were likely rented out.
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Frequently asked questions about the Samnite House in Herculaneum
Why is Samnite House so famous?
The Samnite House is one of the popular ruins in Herculaneum as it is considered to be one of the oldest dwellings there, dating back to the 2nd century BCE. It was at least 300 years old already when Mount Vesuvius erupted.
Who were the Samnites?
The Samnites, hailing from the mountainous regions of central and southern Italy, notably engaged in the Samnite Wars against Rome in the 4th and 3rd centuries BC. Recognized for their formidable military tactics, the Samnites influenced political dynamics in pre-Roman Italy.
Is entry to the Samnite House included with Herculaneum tickets?
Yes, your Herculaneum tickets include access to the Samnite House. You don't have to purchase tickets separately.
How was the Samnite House preserved during the eruption of Vesuvius?
The connection between Herculaneum and Vesuvius date back to the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, the rapid accumulation of volcanic ash enveloped and solidified around the Samnite House, ensuring remarkable conservation.
What can I see inside Samnite House if I visit today?
Visitors today can walk past the fauces (a passageway leading to the atrium) and enter the atrium. They can also see the mosaics on the tablinum (another space connecting the house to the peristyle or open courtyard). The peristyle, however, no longer exists. Other remains found include a statuette of Venus and dog-shaped table legs.
