The Villa of Mysteri

A detailed Summary of The Villa of Mysteri

"...they heard the crash of falling roofs; an instant more and the mountain-cloud seemed to roll towards them, dark and rapid, like a torrent; at the same time, it cast forth from its bosom a shower of ashes mixed with vast fragments of burning stone! Over the crushing vines- over the desolate streets- over the amphitheatre itself- far and wide- with many a mighty splash in the agitated sea- fell that awful shower..."

Even though destroyed by Mt. Vesuvius August 24, 79AD, The Villa of Mysteries is full of Pompeian artifacts. The famous mural featuring the cult of Dionysus is amongst this 55room villa. Villa of Mysteries was once flourishing with plant life, bronzed statues, and people working and living in and around the villa. The frescoes in the Villa of Mysteries provide us the opportunity to glimpse something important about the rites of passage for these privileged women of Pompeii.

The interior design of the homes or villa's were not paintings hanging from nails, but they were painted actually onto the wall. The cult of Dionysus is one of these painted murals founded in the Villa of Mysteries, the frieze is 10 ft high and 56 ft long. The term "mysteries" refers to secret initiation rites of the Classical

9.Richardson, L. Jr. Pompeii: An Architectural History. Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press, 1988.

The themes of this scene are of torture and transition, and the climax of the "rites". Notice the complete abandonment to agony on the face of the initiate and the whipping across her back; a woman sometimes identifiable as a nurse comforts her. Her face is not quite to that as in agony, but almost ecstasy. To the right a nude woman clashes celebratory cymbals and another woman is about to give to the initiate a thyrsus, symbolizing the successful completion of the "rite". The initiate is now allowed to enter womanhood on her own. She has become apart of Dionysus herself, she has seen and the mystery and wonders of this cult. She is now able to in tune herself with nature, childbearing, and being a noble Roman bride.

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Approximate Word count = 1601
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Arts

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