A fresco depicting two Greek mythological siblings, Phrixus and Helle, has been unearthed in the ancient Roman city of Pompeii.
Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the director of Pompeii Archaeological Park, commented on the discovery, stating, ‘History seems to have repeated itself.’ He added, ‘It is a beautiful fresco in remarkably good condition. The myth of Phrixus and Helle is not only prevalent in Pompeii but also carries contemporary relevance. They represent two refugees at sea, a brother and sister, compelled to flee due to their stepmother’s desire to eliminate them. She achieves this through deceit and treachery, ultimately leading to Helle’s tragic drowning in the water.
The fresco portrays Helle in the moment just before she succumbs to the waves, her face obscured as she reaches out for her brother, who flees atop the ram of the golden fleece.
This stunning artwork was uncovered in the House of Leda, which has been under construction since 2018. Alongside this remarkable fresco, archaeologists have unearthed two new domus and additional rooms within the site.
Efforts are underway to open these newly discovered homes to the public in the near future.
Pompeii, famously preserved in ash following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, which claimed over 2,000 lives, continues to captivate millions of visitors annually. Extensive conservation efforts have been ongoing since 2013, prompted by UNESCO’s threat to list Pompeii as an endangered world heritage site.
In recent years, Pompeii has yielded numerous significant discoveries, including the most recent find of a prison bakery.
