Beyond social and functional interpretations of wall paintings: mythological imagery in the tablinum at Pompeii and Herculaneum

Wall paintings in the tablinum of Pompeian and Herculanean houses, traditionally linked to social rituals like the salutatio, do not necessarily reflect their functional use but instead reveal a shared mythological visual vocabulary across societal strata. This study challenges conventional interpretations by analyzing 120+ mythological images from 35 tabulina, demonstrating that decorative imagery serves as a cultural language rather than a reflection of room-specific activities or moral ideals. The research employs iconographic analysis to decouple decoration from assumed social practices, offering new insights into Roman domestic art and its broader societal significance.

Spinelli, A. (2022). Beyond social and functional interpretations of wall paintings: mythological imagery in the tablinum at Pompeii and Herculaneum. Journal of Roman Archaeology, 35(1), 177–193. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1047759421000581