Even in Herculaneum, we have spectacular monuments. What? You don’t believe me? I will show you where you get the best view in the whole city: the sanctuary of Venus.
It’s not a normal temple, but a large sacred area overlooking the sea. It was built on a series of open arches on the beach, used by fishermen as boathouses. Leaving the beach, a flight of steps leads up the hill to a rectangular terrace.
Up there there are two temples dedicated to Venus, the goddess of love. Does that seem strange to you? Not really… Even children know that love is complicated!
Don’t worry, I’m joking: true, Venus is the goddess of love, but she’s also the patron saint of sailors. That is why we worship her in two different temples.
Listen, one of these temples is so old, it dates back to the ancient Samnites, even before the Romans came to Herculaneum. It was restored about fifteen years ago by Vibìdia Saturnìna, a former slave who made her fortune from naval trade. Today she is one of the richest women in the city… and she loves telling people about it!
As well as the sacred buildings, the terrace has service rooms for the staff, a great hall for the brotherhood of the Venerii and… a kitchen.
Why the astonished faces? Many sacrifices are celebrated here. You don’t think the gods come down from Olympus to eat a leg of lamb? No, the meat of sacrificed animals is cooked and served on the table to the delight of priests and worshippers.
Now come with me, let’s go back to Pompeii. My uncle Aulus asked me to bring olive focaccia and honey and pepper pastries to his private club. He and his friends are organising gladiatorial fights for the holidays… I think they just indulge in eating and drinking!