House of Julius Polybius, Pompei

The House of Julius Polybius is located on the north side of the Via dell’ Abbondanza. Only fully excavated in 1978, it has two entrances from the street which lead into two separate parts of the house. The western side, which once had an upper story but is disconnected from the peristyle at the centre of the house, is believed to have been used as servants’ quarters. The eastern side was used by the owner, named in an elaborate fresco as C. Julius Polybius.

The house features artworks in a number of different styles, which suggest the building was redeveloped during its history. Rooms to the east of the atrium are decorated in the first and second styles, but these paintings had been covered over with plaster, suggesting the rooms were only used for storage. Rooms around the peristyle are decorated in the later third and fourth styles, and the art works here are much better preserved.

The building has a number of rooms on its eastern side, including a master suite separate from the main triclinium. The House of the Vettii has a similar side room, believed to be reserved for more intimate gatherings with friends and family. A number of artifacts were unearthed in the triclinium, including a bronze statue of Apollo, and a number of lamps and drinking vessels, also cast in bronze.