Pompeii: Stunning new paintings unearthed at ancient buried city.
Elaborate frescos depicting Greek legend Helen of Troy and the god Apollo have been uncovered in new excavation
Fascinating artworks have been uncovered in a new excavation at Pompeii, the ancient Roman city doomed and buried by Mount Vesuvius’s deadly eruption in AD79.
The most impressive discovery is an expansive fresco that depicts the Greek legend Helen of Troy, painted on the high walls of a large banqueting hall that was thought to be owned by a high-status politician.
One-third of the lost city is still yet to be cleared of volcanic debris, ash and pumice, but the current dig has led to the discovery of artefacts that underline Pompeii’s position as a bastion of the Roman Empire.
The banqueting room was discovered to hold several frescos, including two set-piece frescos. In the first piece, the god Apollo is seen trying to seduce the priestess Cassandra – but according to legend, her rejection of his pursuits led to her prophecies being ignored. The tragic aftermath of that rejection is depicted in the second painting, which sees Prince Paris meeting Helen – a union Cassandra knows will end in the Trojan War and doom them all.
The remains of the dining hall are without a ceiling or roof, since it collapsed during the eruption. What’s left is tall black walls, on which the frescos are painted.
The room is the most impressive hidden treasure to emerge from the excavation that began 12 months ago, and it will feature in a documentary series from the BBC and Lion TV to be broadcast later in April. The Independent.
