7House of the Tragic Poet

Located in the far-west section of Pompeii, the House of the Tragic Poet is famed for its artful decoration, which includes frescoes and mosaics that are surprisingly grand for the home’s relatively small size.

An elaborate floor mosaic depicting actors gathering backstage led archeologists to postulate that an important poet or writer might have lived here. Also notable are the large mythological creatures portrayed in the atrium’s frescoes. Near the entrance is a mosaic with the words “cave canem,” a warning to visitors that the property is protected by a fierce dog.