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	Pompeii: Thermopolium of Flavius Nicephorus, shrine (VII 16,7) Pompeii: Aedicula by the Thermopolium of Flavius Nicephorus (photo: Athena Review)
	Beside the Thermopolium of Flavus Nicephorus (VII.16.7) was a masonry aedicula or temple-shaped niche used as a shrine. This may be seen at left on the pilaster between the thermopolium and the adjacent shop at VII.16.6.   The thermopolium was first excavated in 1846 and 1859. Fiorelli, the original 19th century excavator, reported that "This shop had a masonry aedicula on the pilaster that preceded it, and it had a marble pelta [crescent shaped shield] with the relief showing two tragic masks and two faces, formerly used to decorate the intercolumniation of the porch of some rich house, and then placed here as a sign against the evil-eye." "Below the aedicule was painted: CASELLIUM.AED.OVF. It was probably a thermopolium, because of the podium with two urns and the usual steps, shelving for the crockery, and hearth." [Source: Pappalardo, U., 2001. Description of Pompeii by Giuseppe Fiorelli (1875). Naples: Massa Editore. (p.161) ]
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