Stunning Dionysian Fresco Unveiled in Pompeii's 'House of the Thiasos'

A newly discovered fresco depicting a Dionysian procession offers fresh insights into ancient rituals and life in the Roman city buried by Vesuvius in 79 AD.

• Archaeologists in Pompeii have uncovered a well-preserved fresco in a banquet hall, now named the 'House of the Thiasos,' dedicated to the wine god Dionysos.
• The fresco, dating back to 40-30 BC, spans three walls and depicts a vivid Dionysian procession with nearly life-sized figures, including dancers, hunters, satyrs, and a woman undergoing initiation.
• Unusually, the figures are painted as if they were statues on pedestals, blending lifelike movement with symbolic stillness, and incorporating themes of hunting and ritual sacrifice.
• The fresco demonstrates both religious significance and decorative intent, with its placement in a space designed for feasting and celebration in the ancient Roman home.
• The discovery highlights ongoing archaeological efforts in Pompeii, supported by a €33 million investment by the Italian government, and the site is now open to visitors with prior registration.

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