Fresco showing Phrixus and Helle was discovered in Pompeii

Another fantastic discovery was made in Pompeii – beautifully decorated house walls were unearthed from the ground. According to researchers, the fresco shows a mythological scene – the siblings Phryxus and Helle, during a tragic event.

According to ancient mythology, a brother and sister were forced to flee because Ino’s stepmother wanted to get rid of them. In a dream, Nefele’s mother revealed to her son the plans of her stepmother, who wanted to sacrifice him to the gods. Therefore, to help the children, she sent a winged ram with a golden fleece, which was to carry the siblings to the east. Unfortunately, while flying over the Hellespont (the strait separating Europe from Asia), Helle fell into the water and died; hence the name of the strait.

It is worth mentioning that the myth described was very popular in Pompeii.