a Meta view

These pictures were found on an amazing site - http://pompeiiinpictures.com where a carefully mapped plan helps virtual visitors get a sense of the villa and other ruins in Pompeii.

The first photo here shows a group of visitors standing in a portico outside the south end of the red chamber. Here, they are standing directly opposite the north wall that contains the Dionysus and Ariadne (Scene VI) fresco. The second photo shows the portico which empties onto the Viridarium or front lawn of the villa, through the blue doors in the third photo. Initiates would not have accessed the chamber by this route for the ritual ceremony, according to Fierz-David. Instead, they would step into the chamber from the west entry portal, between Scenes I and X.

Dear Majena, this makes me think of the portico as a porch for the Minotaur; a place where we experience the red-cube outside its frescoed walls.