Dating back to the 4th century BCE, the House of Sallust underwent major expansions during the 2nd century BCE. Located in Regio VI, Insula 2, 4 on the east side of the Via Consolare, the house derived its name from an election notice endorsing Gaius Sallustius for office, which was displayed on its facade. Another name associated with this grand dwelling is the House of A. Cossus Libanus, named after a seal discovered in the ruins.
Originally, the house was a symmetrical atrium house made of tufa blocks during the Samnite Period. It featured a central fauces, leading to an atrium with compluvium and impluvium, surrounded by three cubicula and alae on each side. The rear of the atrium housed a tablinum, with an oecus on the left and an andron on the right. Beyond the tablinum was an outdoor garden enclosed by the property wall, beautifully decorated in the Pompeian First Style.
In subsequent phases, the House of Sallust saw the addition of shops on its west side and a peristyle, a colonnaded porticus, in the garden. During the late Augustan period, the house was transformed into a hospitium, a grand-scale hotel. A counter accessible from the street and the atrium was built to attract potential guests passing by, and the rooms were grouped into suites around the atrium.
To cater to guests' dining needs, indoor dining spaces were created, along with an outdoor masonry triclinium covered by a pergola in the peristyle garden. A hearth was built nearby for hot food preparation, ensuring that guests received the utmost comfort. The tablinum, elevated three steps above the atrium floor, featured a large window offering a picturesque view of the garden. The back wall of the tablinum was adorned with a garden scene, seamlessly connecting the real garden with the painted one, incorporating garlanded columns, fountains, and birds.
Even with the introduction of new features, such as the peristyle garden and the second atrium that gained popularity during this period, the House of Sallust retained its First Style decoration in some public areas. This mimicked the continued use of the First Style in other prominent structures in Pompeii, including temples, basilicas, and gymnasia.
Over time, the structure expanded to fully utilize the garden space. When excavations initially began, the house became known as the House of Actaeon, named after a fresco depicting the mythological figure. Queen Maria Caroline of Bourbon, who sponsored and observed the excavations, received artistic finds as gifts. Once the finds were removed from a room, work would cease in that area. The house was considered fully cleared in 1809, and efforts turned to reproducing and preserving the remains and surviving frescoes through paintings and drawings.
The House of Sallust is a testament to the luxurious living of Pompeii's elite residents. As you explore this remarkable ancient dwelling, take in the intricate details and imagine the grandeur that once filled its halls.
