Abstract
The common interpretation for the presence of a serpent in Pompeian shrine paintings is that the serpent represents the genius of the paterfamilias. This paper calls into question this interpretation and argues that the serpent does not represent the genius and had a far greater significance to the Romans. This paper explores the significance of the serpent in lararium paintings by analyzing examples found in Pompeii. The serpent iconography is compared to that of native Italic gods and goddess who were associated with serpents. The use of serpents in Etruscan funerary art is explored, as well as the use of snakes in Greco-Roman myth. The conclusions that are drawn are that the serpents depicted in the lararium paintings had an apotropaic function that were intended to ward off harmful spirits, and grant fertility, health and prosperity to the household.
How to Cite
Anders, K., (2015) “Pompeian Shrine Serpents: Re-evaluating the Significance of Serpents in Lararium Paintings”, Capstone, The UNC Asheville Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship 28(1).
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