Pompeii Unveils 2,000-Year-Old Dining Hall with Mythological Frescoes
In a remarkable discovery, archaeologists at the Roman city of Pompeii have uncovered a black-walled dining hall adorned with 2,000-year-old paintings inspired by the Trojan War. The Pompeii Archaeological Park revealed that the room, measuring about 15 meters long and 6 meters wide, boasts high-quality frescoes and mosaics dating back to the time of Emperor Augustus, indicating its use for banquets.
Gabriel Zuchtriegel, head of the park, explained that the walls were painted black to conceal smoke from oil lamps during nighttime gatherings. The play of flickering lamp light on the images created a mesmerizing effect, especially after indulging in Campanian wine. Pompeii, buried under volcanic ash during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, has been undergoing extensive excavation efforts to preserve its rich history.
The newly discovered frescoes revolve around themes of heroism and fate. One painting depicts Paris and Helen, infamous for sparking the Trojan War with their illicit love affair. Another portrays the tragic prophetess Cassandra and the god Apollo, who cursed her with the gift of foresight. Despite warning of the impending war, Cassandra’s predictions went unheeded due to Apollo’s curse for her refusal to submit to him.