The House of Tragic Poet (cave canem)

A Mosaic depicting a growling dog and the well-known words of warning cave canem (beware of the dog) is the decoration found near the entrance of this medium-sized, imperial style house opposite the Forum baths.

The house has a Tuscan Atrium and a Peristyle with a Lararium situated on the rear wall. The Atrium leads into the cubicula (bedrooms) and the Atrium and the peristyle which was used as a sort of office for the household business. This was where the tabulae, or accounts and other documents, were kept. '>Tablinum. The house derives its name from a fine Mosaic with a theatrical scene which was found in this Atrium and the peristyle which was used as a sort of office for the household business. This was where the tabulae, or accounts and other documents, were kept. '>Tablinum along with paintings representing episodes from the Iliad. These finds are now exhibited at the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

To the right of the Peristyle we find the Triclinium whose frescoes and figured panels are still intact. The panel on the rear wall depicts Ariadne abandoned by Theseus while the panel on the left-hand wall portrays a nest full of cupids.