This building has traditionally been interpreted as a Christian cult place given the presence on a lintel of an inscription with a Christogram (a monogram with the initials of Christ’s name). In fact, it was probably a domus (house), built in the late 4^th century AD and perhaps belonging to the family of the Tigriniani.

The irregular layout is explained by the superimposition of the domus on an earlier building with shops, a lane and a bath complex.

Volumetric and axonometric view of the building (A. Gobbi)

Drawing of one of the building’s Ionic capitals (T. Semeraro)

It was subdivided into two long halls separated by a colonnade, ending in apsidal rooms (a hall with niches for statues and a nymphaeum).

Three rooms introduced by columns opened onto the right-hand hall, perhaps used for philosophical meetings or as a school for new converts given the presence of the Christian symbol.

Inscription on the architrave with a Christogram