Vita gazette – A fresco depicting the mythological sisters Phrixus and Helle was found in the ancient Roman city of Pompeii. The scene depicts Phrixus escaping on the ram of the Golden Fleece with his twin Helle, whom he tries in vain to save after falling into the waves.

Efforts continue to reveal the history, art and life culture of the period in the ancient city of Pompeii, which was buried under ashes after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius approximately 2 thousand years ago.

Finally, during the work in Leda’s house, frescoes of extraordinary value were discovered: a fresco depicting the myth of Phrixus and Helle.

Showcasing vibrant colours and exquisite artistry, the fresco depicts Helle on the verge of drowning, her face obscured by the waves as she reaches for her brother.

The leading roles in the legend of Phrixus and Helle are two brothers (a boy and a girl) and the extraordinary golden ram gifted to Phrixus. Their father is Athamas, King of Thessaly, one of the legendary heroes of Greece. Goddess Hera is jealous of Athamas’ second wife, Ino. And he decides to kill Athamas’ children, Phrixus and Helle.

According to Greek mythology, a ram with a golden fleece was sent to Phrixus and Helle, who wanted to escape from their stepmother. While the two brothers, who escaped by riding a coach, were near the Dardanelles, Helle fell off the coach and drowned. The colourful fresco unearthed in Pompeii depicts this moment of drowning.

The ancient city of Pompeii was destroyed in 79 AD by an explosion that killed more than 2,000 people. The ruins have become one of the most visited archaeological sites in the world.

Pompeii, on the UNESCO World Heritage list and the second most visited tourist site in Italy after the Colosseum, has an area of ​​approximately 22 hectares, one-third of which is under ashes.

Surprises unearthed in recent months in the city, which attracts around 4 million visitors a year, include 13 Nativity-style figurines offering evidence of pagan ritual traditions in the ancient Roman city and, last June, a striking pizza-like still life featuring an item that looks suspiciously like a pineapple It includes a fresco.