Peristylium

A similar design we find in the peristylium of the Casa della Caccia, or di Dedalo e Pasifae, but for its being still more irregular, owing to the want of a rectangular termination; the atrium of this house also is spacious, and perfectly regular.

This house, like many others at the time of the destruction of the city, was undergoing repairs—one of the sides of the peristylium being left unfrescoed, the other being finished.

Yet still the peristylia of lordly mansions were decked with flowers and wreathed with ivy, for it was forbidden to manifest any signs of grief.

"If she should discover that I had enlisted with slaves and shopkeepers in the Galilean's fellowship"—Claudia shrugged, left unfinished her observation. She crossed the mosaic of the terrace's paving and entered the peristylium.

Escorted back to the Praetorium building two hours later wearing a simple Roman tunic, Marcellinus was ushered into a peristylium area, a small courtyard open to the sky surrounded by a portico of rough wooden columns.