A new discovery at Cyrene: Tomb S64 and its ‘Pompeian Second Style’ wall paintings. Preliminary notes

Abstract

AbstractS64 is an extraordinary tomb. Its well-preserved isodomic façade leads to an antechamber decorated with wall paintings recalling what is usually labelled as ‘Pompeian Second Style’, a unique example in Cyrenaica thus far. This article gives a brief insight on this tomb, its wall paintings and a short discussion of their importance in the wider context of local and foreign monumental funerary customs. This tomb suggests a ritual complexity with few comparisons in Cyrene, but it is also important for the history of the Hellenistic and Roman painted architectural styles.