Italian archaeologists have discovered a fresco depicting the goddess of passion and a swamp in an ancient bedroom in Pompeii.
Massimo Osana, director of the Pompeii archaeological park, told ANSA that the image of the goddess Lida, embracing a swan representing the Roman god Jupiter, is common and widespread in the decoration of Pompeii houses.
But he praised the plaster painting and said it was exceptional, as God seemed to look at anyone looking at the painting.
"Lida is watching the spectator very clearly," Osana said.
The plaster was discovered last Friday as part of a work to strengthen the city's foundations after rains and erosion over the past years caused some landslides.
Pompeii is a Roman city with about 20,000 inhabitants. Today, the city has only its ancient ruins. The city lies at the foot of Vesuvius volcano, 1,200 meters above sea level, near Naples Bay in Italy.
The eruption of the volcano was a devastating eruption in 79 AD and the cities of Pompey and Herculaneum were destroyed. The city's volcano was buried in ash for 1,600 years until it was discovered in the 18th century.