Fresco from Trojan War

Fresco from Trojan War

A view of the fresco on the north wall of room 4.  The scene depicts Ajax dragging Cassandra from the Palladium (the "cult statue" that protected Troy) before the eyes of Priam.  Helen and Menelaus are to the left and Priam is in the center.


The House of Menander is located to the southeast of the Roman Forum of Pompeii.  It is one of the largest and most opulent houses of Pompeii (19,000 sq ft.).  A personal seal and graffiti indicate that Quintus Poppaeus Sabinus was its owner.  He was a relative of the Empress Poppea Sabina, Nero's second wife.  Its name comes from a fresco of a famous Greek dramatist, Menander found on one of the walls.

Regio I, Insula X.4 (= Region 1, Block 10, Doorway 4 [plus others]) — Room 4.