The House of Fortuna, also known as the House of the Arches, is a domus in Regio IX that was excavated in 1879.
The name “House of the Arches” refers to the distinctive design of the peristyle, where arches spanned some of the intercolumniations. This is a relatively unusual feature in Pompeian domestic architecture of the first century AD.
From the entrance, visitors passed through the atrium to the peristyle, around which the principal rooms of the house were arranged. The garden contained an elegant mosaic fountain, enhanced by sculptural elements and water displays.
Domestic worship also played an important role in the house. A lararium found in the atrium contained small bronze statuettes, including a figure of Fortuna and two Lares. Another large painted lararium decorated the outside wall of the house. It showed the Genius of the household making a sacrifice, accompanied by the Lares and auspicious serpents.
The residential rooms retained paintings dating mainly from the city’s final decorative phases. The large triclinium featured red, yellow and black panels with mythological pictures; other rooms contained images of Dionysus and Ariadne, together with other gods and heroes from Greek tradition.
The house has traditionally been associated with Caprasius Felix and Fortunata, whose names are attested by finds and inscriptions from the complex. The identity of its owners in AD 79 remains uncertain, however, and should not be regarded as conclusively established.
The House of Fortuna is particularly notable for bringing together theatrical architecture, water, painting and domestic worship within a relatively compact space.
