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Perché si chiama così?

Why is it called that?

Pronunciation

co-SI — stress on second syllable. The 'c' before 'o' is hard /k/.

When to use it

Ask about the name of any building, street, or area at a ruin. Site names often have fascinating stories — the House of the Faun is named after a bronze faun statue found there. The name always tells a story.

What it means

Names of Pompeian houses follow different systems: based on found objects ('Casa del Fauno'), based on prominent residents ('Casa di Marco Lucrezio'), based on archaeological features ('Casa del Menandro'), or based on frescoes ('Casa dei Vettii'). Understanding naming conventions enriches the visit.

Variations

Chi era il proprietario originale?

Who was the original owner?

Sometimes known from electoral slogans or name stamps — sometimes guessed.

Il nome è originale o dato dagli archeologi?

Is the name original or given by archaeologists?

Most names are archaeological inventions — ancient owners had different names.

Da cosa prende il nome questa via?

What is this street named after?

Roman street names were often based on trades or landmarks.

Mini Dialogue

— Perché si chiama 'Casa del Fauno'? — Perché durante gli scavi del 1830 fu trovata una piccola statua di bronzo di un fauno danzante nell'atrium. — Il fauno originale è qui? — No, l'originale è al Museo di Napoli. Qui c'è una copia. — Capisco. E il grande mosaico di Alessandro Magno? — Anche quello al MANN. Ma possiamo vedere dove era collocato.

— Why is it called the 'House of the Faun'? — Because during the 1830 excavations a small bronze statue of a dancing faun was found in the atrium. — Is the original faun here? — No, the original is at the Naples Museum. Here there is a copy. — I see. And the great Alexander the Great mosaic? — That too is at MANN. But we can see where it was placed.

Cultural Note

The 'Casa del Fauno' in Pompeii is the largest private house in the city — covering 3,000 square metres. Its owner was likely one of Pompeii's wealthiest citizens. The house contained both the dancing faun statue and the Alexander mosaic — an extraordinary concentration of art.

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