House of the Tragic Poet

This is a good example of a house built during the Roman empire. It is not very big, but it's richly decorated, intimate rooms are a showcase of the owner's wealth. Connected to the house are tabernae or shops, indicating that the house belonged to a merchant. The entrance has a charming mosaic: a large chained dog and the motto Cave Canem (Beware of the dog).

As in most houses of well-to-do Romans, the walls are covered in murals, depicting mythical and erotic scenes. The house is named after a mosaic in the atrium, depicting a theatre rehersal led by the poet.