---
title: The Frescoes of the Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii
author: Carole Raddato
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11269/the-frescoes-of-the-villa-of-the-mysteries-in-pomp/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# The Frescoes of the Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii

_Authored by [Carole Raddato](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/FollowingHadrian/)_

## Image File

[![The Frescoes of the Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/11269.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/11269.jpg)

## Image Caption

The Villa of the Mysteries in [Pompeii](https://www.worldhistory.org/pompeii/) owes its fame to the exquisite [wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/) paintings that cover the walls of one of its reception rooms. A mysterious scene with life-size figures in the Second Pompeian Style seems to depict the initiation rite of a young girl into the Dionysian mysteries. Female figures, as well as fauns and maenads, are seen on the sidewalls engaged in various ritual activities, while the [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) [Dionysus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Dionysos/) appears on the central wall with his wife, [Ariadne](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ariadne/). The Villa of the Mysteries dates back to the 2nd century BCE but was given its current shape in 80-70 BCE.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Carole maintains the popular ancient history photo-blog Following Hadrian, where she travels the ancient world in the footsteps of Emperor Hadrian.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/FollowingHadrian)
- [X/Twitter Profile](https://twitter.com/carolemadge)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Raddato, C. (2019, September 25). The Frescoes of the Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11269/the-frescoes-of-the-villa-of-the-mysteries-in-pomp/>
### Chicago
Raddato, Carole. "The Frescoes of the Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 25, 2019. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11269/the-frescoes-of-the-villa-of-the-mysteries-in-pomp/>.
### MLA
Raddato, Carole. "The Frescoes of the Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii." *World History Encyclopedia*, 25 Sep 2019, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11269/the-frescoes-of-the-villa-of-the-mysteries-in-pomp/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Carole Raddato](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/FollowingHadrian/ "User Page: Carole Raddato"), published on 25 September 2019. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.