In pictures: Ancient Roman paintings

A herm was a boundary marker and a good luck symbol, and was often surmounted by a portrait of the owner of the property.

This fresco painting and the next two come from the ruins of a Pompeii villa. A whole garden room has been preserved. The skilled artist faithfully depicted birds, plants and flowers.

The head on top of the herm was painted in natural colours which have been lost in practically all the statues and busts which have survived.