The pagan cult room At Lullingstone Roman villa, Kent, England, UK, with a central well & nymphs wall painting: a Deep Room constructed around AD100
Image details
Contributor:
Mick Sharp / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
2NTWAB5File size:
53.3 MB (2.8 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
4970 x 3751 px | 42.1 x 31.8 cm | 16.6 x 12.5 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
9 November 1995Location:
Lullingstone Roman Villa, Eynsford, Sevenoaks, Kent, England, UKMore information:
The pagan cult room At Lullingstone Roman villa, Kent, England, UK, with a central well & wall painting. Constructed around AD100 this cellar or 'Deep Room' honoured female water deities, three of whom feature in the painting in the niche in the S wall (L): the central nymph has reeds in or growing from her hair & blue water flowing from her breasts. Four pots were sunk into the floor to receive libations for the souls of the dead. Two busts of bearded men in Roman dress were placed on the blocked up steps in the NW corner. The men were related, possibly father & son, suggesting some form of ancestor worship. In the late C4th the rooms above this one were converted to a Christian 'house church' suggesting that the old & new faiths were being practised at the same time. Lullingstone is one of seven Roman villas known in the valley of the River Darent. Eventually the Roman economic system collapsed & the villa was destroyed in a fire around AD420.