Archaeologists discovered a number of unique life-size frescoes in Pompeii: what is interesting (photos)

Archaeologists working in Pompeii have discovered a series of unique frescoes preserved almost life-size. This discovery sheds new light on the religious life of the city on the eve of its destruction by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

"The frescoes form a large frieze covering three walls of the banquet hall. They depict the rites of initiation into the cult of Dionysus, the ancient Greek god of wine, fertility, theater, and religious ecstasy. These mysteries of Dionysus were secret rituals that promised spiritual enlightenment and possibly a blessed afterlife." The Independent writes about it,

"Dating from 40-30 BC, the image shows the followers of Dionysus in states of ritual ecstasy, dancing and hunting. The fresco has visual parallels with the paintings in the Villa of Mysteries, discovered more than a century ago.

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Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli, commenting on the discovery, said:

"Today will go down in history because this discovery is unprecedented. Along with the Villa of the Mysteries, this fresco reveals new, hitherto little-known aspects of life in the ancient Mediterranean."

The frieze depicts the followers of Dionysus as dancers and hunters carrying slaughtered goats or holding swords and animal entrails. In the center of the scene is an elegantly dressed woman who is probably waiting to be initiated into the mysteries.

The upper frieze contains scenes with sacred animals: a fawn, a gutted boar, roosters, and fish. According to researchers, this emphasizes the dual nature of the cult of Dionysus, combining festive motifs with sacrifice.

Gabriel Zuchtrigel, director of Pompeii, summarized the meaning of the depicted scenes:

"The main question is who do you want to be in life: the hunter or the hunted?"

Earlier we told you that a unique treasure of 321 coins was found in England.

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