A fresco showing Phrixus and Helle, twin brothers from Greek mythology, has been recently uncovered at the Pompeii Archeological Park. According to experts, the fresco is in an “exceptional” state, considering it is 2,000 years old.
The fresco, found in a residence known as House of Leda, shows a familiar scene of Phrixus trying to save Helle from drowning after she fell from a flying golden ram. It featured unusually vibrant colors and was evidently done by a skillful artist.
“It is a beautiful fresco in an excellent state of conservation,” Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the director of Pompeii Archaeological Park, told the Guardian. “The myth of Phrixus and Helle is widespread at Pompeii, but it is topical too. They are two refugees at sea, a brother and sister, forced to flee because their stepmother wants to get rid of them, and she does so with deception and corruption. She [Helle] fell into the water and drowned.”
The ancient Roman city Pompeii was destroyed after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. It was also covered in at least 19 feet of ash and debris, which helped preserve Pompeii’s archeological remains.
The initial examinations of the House of Leda took place in the 18th century, but the full excavations on the site, which is known for a number of exceptional frescoes, didn’t take place until 2018.