Peristyl of the House of Menander in Pompeii is an impressive atrium surrounded by a colonnade, which belonged to one of the richest houses in the city. An interesting fact is that during excavations, over 100 silver vessels hidden in a wooden chest were discovered there – probably the owners tried to protect them against the disaster caused by the outbreak of Vesuvius in 79 CE. The house owes its name to the fresco depicting the Greek playwright Menander, although it is not known if he really had any connection with the owners of the residence.
What was peristyl, which is part of the Roman house? Peristyl was an internal courtyard surrounded by a colonnade, characteristic of Roman houses, especially those belonging to wealthy citizens. It was the central point of the house, serving as a garden and a place of rest. Within it, there were often fountains, sculptures and vegetation, and its shaded porticoes ensured shelter from heat. Peristyl performed both aesthetic and practical functions, enabling residents to relax and organize social gatherings.
