IX.13.4 Pompeii. Shop of Successus?

Linked to IX.13.5 and IX.13.6. Partly excavated 1913, 1970.

IX.13.4 Pompeii. December 2005. Entrance doorway.

IX.13.4 Pompeii. May 2005.

Remains of painted plaster between IX.13.4 and IX.13.5, see IX.13.5

IX.13.4 Pompeii. May 2005. Entrance doorway.

According to Della Corte, found on the external plaster on the left of the doorway, was a beautiful but sad and prophetic poem.

Nihil durare potest tempore perpetuo.

Cum bene Sol nituit redditur Oceano;

Decrescit Phoebe quae modo plena fuit.

(Sic) Venerum feritas saepe fit aura levis.     [CIL IV 9123].

See Della Corte, M., 1965.  Case ed Abitanti di Pompei. Napoli: Fausto Fiorentino. (p.335)

According to Garcia y Garcia, this was discovered in 1913, but sadly soon lost.

He also quoted the last latin word as “l(e)vis”, and in note 28, stated that the interpretation had been strongly disputed (with references).

His translation of the latin was –

“Nothing can last forever: the sun, when its course is complete, hides itself behind the sea; the moon, once full, now wanes.

Thus, love’s wounds shall heal and fresh breezes will blow once more”

See Garcia y Garcia, L., 2005. Pupils, Teachers and Schools in Pompeii. Roma: Bardi editore. (p.155)

Cooley has a similar translation -

“Nothing can last for all time:

When the Sun has shone brightly it returns to Ocean;

The Moon wanes, which recently was full.

Even so the fierceness of Venus often becomes a puff of wind”

See Cooley, A. and M.G.L., 2004. Pompeii : A Sourcebook. London : Routledge. (p.72)