2010030205 Quadriporticus

Date circa 1802 (see note)
Publication Miscellanies XXVI vol IV No25,
By J.B. Hoefsel se. a Weimar
Media Print, Engraving
Dimensions 150mm x 90mm (from page 225mm x 250mm)
Title Fig 2.

Description
View of the quadriporticus the view point is a little confusing, the buildings on the left suggest that it is looking towards the east across the quadriporticus but the right side of the image appears to show the site still unexcavated which would suggest a view looking west. The number of columns are questionable but suggests that the columns in the foreground are the long side (and east) of the portico. Note the inclusion of an architrave to the left of the picture and trees (the remains wood which covered this area of the city perhaps) in the unexcavated area.

The date is based on the number 1802 at the base of the engraving and the accompanying preamble text that says “it was only in the last century that some peasants by chance discovered it again. In the Year 1755 they began to dig …” Suggesting that the article was written in the 19th centaury.

The images is accompanied by text in Italian, French, German and English.

"Fig. 2. The Soldier’s Quarter of Popejum

In the Year 1772 the Soldier’s Quarter was discovered which probably was called so, because it contained the Barracks and Parade of the Roman Garrison.

A row of Doric Columns of Stucco, 11 feet high surrounded an oblong square, (parallelogram) the covering ashes of which as may be seen (as) are not yet entirely removed. Apparently it was the place where the troops were exercised. Behind these columns there was a gallery, open towards the square and covered on the top. The barracks or lodgings of the soldiers (bb) were contiguous to this gallery; in some of them roman armours were found; but one especially offered a pitiful aspect. It was a military prison. Some of the Soldiers imprisoned at the time of the fateful catastrophe, were forgotten in the general consternation, and deprived of the power to escape were pitifully suffocated. Several skeletons were found sitting in a row, the bones of their legs still loaded with heavy chains".