New excavations at Pompeii, which was destroyed by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 CE, have revealed stunning frescoes depicting scenes inspired by the Trojan War. The frescoes adorn the black walls of a spectacular dining hall that was part of a wealthy townhouse, or domus. One scene (right) depicts Paris and Helen, two key figures in the Trojan War. The two figures face each other; Helen is accompanied by an attendant, while at Paris’s feet rests a loyal dog. Next to Paris is a Greek inscription reading “Alexandros,” a name that, according to legend, he earned during his […]
