Necropolis of Porta Vesuvio
With the exception, it seems, of Porta Marina, there was a necropolis along every road entering the city, outside the walls. Here we note the tufa tomb, a semicircular seat (schola) typical of important women, belonging to Arellia Tertulla, perhaps the wife of the augur and duumvir M. Stlaborius Veius Fronto; next to it, with a base of tufa and stuccoed opus incertum and a column that must have held a marble vase, is the tomb of Septumia, to whom the city administrator – the epigraph recalls – donated the land and money for burial. Monumental is the tomb of C. Vestorius Priscus, dead at age 22 years, builder (administrator in charge of roads, buildings, public order) in 75-76 AD: a fence encloses a base topped by an altar. Here we find stuccoes in relief, showing maenads and satyrs; the interior walls of the fence are frescoed with hunting scenes, gladiator battles, and episodes from the life of the deceased. A mensa complete with silver service shows the social status of the deceased.
