Hypogeum of Trebius Justus

The hypogeum, located near the via Latina, was discovered in 1911 and reopened in 1976, although today, for security reasons, the site is not open to the public.

Dating to the early decades of the 4th century AD, the tomb consists of an access corridor, a vestibule, and a square burial chamber covered by a cross vault. A series of burial niches line the side walls, while an arcosolium is located on the main wall. The tomb is entirely excavated from the pozzolana bedrock, and the interior walls are lined with bricks.

The importance of this hypogeum is underscored by the well-preserved paintings depicting the tomb's owner, Trebius Justus, along with his wife, son, and other figures. On the main wall, at the top, Trebius Justus is depicted seated; beside him are his wife, Honoratia Severina, and a male figure, perhaps his son, holding a drape containing several objects. Below, Trebius Justus stands among some farmers carrying baskets of his land's produce. In the arcosolium, his son, Trebius Justus Asellus (donkey), who died young, is depicted surrounded by writing utensils, a typical student's possession. The side walls depict the construction of a building: on the left, a construction site scene; workers at work are depicted moving up ladders using tools that resemble those still used today; moreover, the painted image depicts the only surviving reproduction of Roman-era scaffolding. On the right, Trebius Justus is speaking with another figure, Generosus magister, probably a master builder; on either side of the entrance are also depicted the transport of building materials and agricultural products. Finally, on the vault of the burial chamber, a shepherd is depicted between two sheep.

From the scenes depicted in the paintings, it can be assumed that Trebius Justus was, in addition to a rich landowner, also a builder.

Photo credits: courtesy of the Special Superintendency of Rome official site