The paintings draw on classical themes. The Sala dei Geni displays a frieze of winged genius-like figures holding garlands, and erotes harvesting grapes, all surrounded by a multitude of vividly-coloured birds. |
 |
The walls of the nearby nymphaeum are filled by a large mythological painting portraying a marine scene, which is regarded as a masterpiece of late antique painting. The subject matter has been much debated but would appear to represent either Venus or Proserpina, accompanied by a train of feasting erotes, fishing from wooden boats. |
 |
The paintings in the so-called Sala dell’Orante are of particular interest, since they include a well-known figure praying with the arms outstretched, which some scholars have considered an indication of the early spread of the Christian faith amongst Roman householders. |
 |
The small Confessio created on the platform above the martyrs’ tombs is decorated with precious Christian paintings from the second half of the fourth century. These are traditionally connected with SS. John and Paul, and also with SS. Crispus, Crispinianus, and Benedicta. |
 |
Some of the rooms continued to be visited well into the medieval period, when an oratory was established in the porch of the insula. Here, there are frescoes of the eighth to twelfth centuries, one of which portrays a crucified Christ dressed in a long robe in the Syrian style. |
 |
The recently-restored Antiquarium exhibits archaeological finds from the houses and the Basilica. Its principal attraction is a large collection of Islamic pottery dating from around the twelfth century, which had originally been used to embellish the medieval bell-tower of the church. |
 |