Herculaneum VII.16. Side doorway into Basilica Noniana, also known as Galleria Balbi.

Date of excavation 1960-62.

 

VII.16 Herculaneum, September 2019.

Looking north along the west side of Cardo III, with entrance doorway on left of centre. Photo courtesy of Klaus Heese.

 

Herculaneum, Basilica Noniana. April 2023.

Descriptive card from Naples Archaeological Museum.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

VII.16 Herculaneum, September 2015. Description board. Photo courtesy of Michael Binns.

 

VII.16 Herculaneum, September 2015. Axonometric reconstruction from description board. Photo courtesy of Michael Binns.

 

Guidobaldi wrote that at the extreme north of Cardo III, opposite the rear entrance of the Seat of the Augustale, was a public building which it has been perhaps possible to identify as the civic basilica, constructed in the Augustan age by Senator M. Nonio Balbo and recorded in a wax tablet of 61 AD, as Basilica Noniana.

The building had been explored by tunnels in the Bourbon age and drawn by Bardet and Bellicard, it was shown as a large rectangular room with side walls marked with a double order of semi-columns in opus vittatum covered with white fluted stucco and surmounted by Ionic capitals in the lower order and Corinthian in the upper order.

Then at the beginning of the 1960’s the eastern wall had been brought out into the open. In this wall was the side entrance onto Cardo III Superiore, and a small service room, probably used as a waiting room to access the south end of the Basilica. Found in this Basilica were the many statues of M. Nonio Balbo and his family, now in Naples Archaeological Museum.

See Guidobaldi, M.P, 2009: Ercolano, guida agli scavi. Naples, Electa Napoli, (p.116).

 

Herculaneum Basilica Noniana. April 2023. Inscription. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Ercolano (Napoli), 'alla masseria de Bisogno' 'presso al podere Savarese' (lug. 1758) (inv. 3737)

The descriptive card to the right says –

The construction of the Basilica was financed by Marcus Nonius Balbus, as is shown by an inscription found in the building.

M(arcus) Nonius M(arci) f(ilius) Balbus, proco(n)s(ul),
basilicam, portas, murum, pecunia sua.      [CIL X, 1425]

 

Herculaneum Basilica Noniana. April 2023. Detail from Inscription. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

Herculaneum. April 2023.

Items on display in “Campania Romana” gallery of Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

Herculaneum. April 2023. Dedications. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

On display in “Campania Romana” gallery of Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 3750 on left, and inv. 3751 on right.

 

On left: - Dedication to the knight (eques) Lucius Mammius, a member of the Menenian tribe, who is recalled for his post as a military tribune and for co-optation among the decurions in the municipium of Nuceria Alfaterna.

Ercolano (Napoli), ignoratur

L(ucio) Mammi[o L(uci)? f(ilio)]
Men(enia) patri t[r(ibuno) mil(itum)]
decu[r(ioni)] mun[icipii]
Nu[ch]er(ini) al[lecto]      [CIL X, 1449]

 

On right: - Dedication to a member of the Mammius family, probably Lucius, a member of the Menenian tribe, who is recalled for his post as a military tribune which he held three times.

Ercolano (Napoli), ignoratur

[L(ucio)? Ma]mmio Ti(beri) f(ilio)
[Men(enia)], fratri
[patr]ueli,
[tr(ibuno) mi]l(itum) ter
------?      [CIL X, 1476]

 

Herculaneum. April 2023.

Inscriptions dedicated to Marcus Nonius Balbus, on display in “Campania Romana” gallery of Naples Archaeological Museum.

Inv. 3732 on left, inv. 3734 in centre, and inv. 3736 on right.  Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

On left: - Dedication to Marcus Nonius Balbus by the inhabitants of Cnossus

Ercolano (Napoli), ignoratur (nel foro?)

M(arco) Nonio M(arci) [f(ilio)]

Balbo, pr(aetori), pro c[o(n)s(uli)]

[coloni]a Iulia C̣[nossus].

 

In centre: - Dedication to Marcus Nonius Balbus by the inhabitants of Crete

Ercolano (Napoli), ignoratur (nel foro?)

M(arco) N[o]nio M(arci) f(ilio)
Bal[bo], p̣r(aetori), pro co(n)s(uli),
[commune Creten]sium.      [CIL X, 1431]

 

On right: - Dedication to Marcus Nonius Balbus by the inhabitants of Gortyniei

Ercolano (Napoli), ignoratur (nel foro?)

[M(arco)] Nonio M(arci) f(ilio)
Ḅalbo, pr(aetori), prọ [c]o(n)s(uli),
[G]ortyniei aẹ[re conl(ato)].       [CIL X, 1434]

Herculaneum. April 2023.

Displayed items in “Campania Romana” gallery of Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

Herculaneum. April 2023.

Displayed items in “Campania Romana” gallery of Naples Archaeological Museum.

Top, inv. 3735, and Lower, inv. 3731.  Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

(Note: At Portici in 2015, the Dedication to Marcus Nonius Balbus, inv. 3731, was attached to the base of the equestrian statue of the younger Nonius Balbus, inv. 6104.)

 

Top: - Dedication to Marcus Nonius Balbus by the inhabitants of Crete.

Ercolano (Napoli), ignoratur; in situ sulla fronte del basamento di una statua equestre bronzea (secondo Alcubierre) (10 dic. 1746)

[M(arco) Nonio M(arci) f(ilio)] Balbo proco(n)s(uli)
[commune] Cretensium patrono.      [CIL X, 1430]

 

Lower: - Dedication to Marcus Nonius Balbus by the inhabitants of Herculaneum.

Ercolano (Napoli), prob. nel foro (11 ag. 1746)

M(arco) Nonio M(arci) f(ilio)
Balbo, pr(aetori), pro co(n)s(uli),
Herculanenses.       [CIL X, 1426]

 

Herculaneum. April 2023.

Looking along the “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

Herculaneum Basilica Noniana. April 2023.

White marble statue of Marcus Nonius Balbus, son, from Basilica Noniana.

On display in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 6167.

And (below) -

Dedication to Marcus Nonius Balbus, son, from Basilica Noniana.

On display in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 6873.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

Herculaneum Basilica Noniana. April 2023. Exhibition descriptive card for statue of Marco Nonio Balbo figlio inventory number 6167.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

Herculaneum Basilica Noniana. April 2023. Exhibition descriptive card for statue dedication to Marco Nonio Balbo figlio inventory number 6873

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

VII.16, Herculaneum, Basilica Noniana. April 2023.

Marble statue of Viciria, mother of Nonius Balbus, found in the Basilica, inv. 6168.

On display in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

Herculaneum, Basilica Noniana. April 2023.

White marble statue of Viciria, mother of Marcus Nonius Balbus.

On display in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 6168.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

Herculaneum, Basilica Noniana. April 2023. Descriptive card for statue of Viciria, inventory number 6168. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

Herculaneum, Basilica Noniana. April 2023.

White marble statue of Marcus Nonius Balbus, father of the proconsul.

On display in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 6246.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

Herculaneum. April 2023. Descriptive card for statue of Marcus Nonius Balbus, father of the proconsul, inventory number 6246.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

Herculaneum. April 2023. Statues of Marcus Nonius Balbus. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

Herculaneum. April 2023. Descriptive card for statue of Marcus Nonius Balbus, inventory number 6211. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

Herculaneum. April 2023. Inscription. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Dedication by Marcus Nonius Balbus for the creation of public works.

Marcus Nonius Balbus, proconsul, has funded the construction of the Basilica, the city gates and part of the city walls of Herculaneum. The inscription may have been attached to the eastern gate of the city.

Ercolano (Napoli), presso l'incrocio tra decumano massimo e cardo III (basilica?) (21 mag. - 9 giu. 1739) (inv. 3723)

Imp(eratori) T(ito) Vespa[siano]
Caesari Au[g(usti) f(ilio)]
trib(unicia) p(otestate), co(n)s(uli) I̅I̅, cen[s(ori) des(ignato), pont(ifici)]
M(arcus) Noniu[s ---].      [CIL X 1420]

 

VII.16 Herculaneum, 2016/2017.

Head of an amazon, from Basilica Noniana, now in Herculaneum Deposits.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

VII.16 Herculaneum, September 2016.

Head of an amazon, from Basilica Noniana, now in Herculaneum Deposits. Photo courtesy of Michael Binns.

Found inside the building during the winter of 2006, whilst moving back the face of the western escarpment, was the marble head of an Amazon, which still preserved the remains of reddish-brown hair and eyes, the latter painted accurately.

See Guidobaldi, M.P, 2009: Ercolano, guida agli scavi. Naples, Electa Napoli, (p.115-6).

See Pesando, F. and Guidobaldi, M.P. (2006). Pompei, Oplontis, Ercolano, Stabiae. Editori Laterza, (p.373-4).

 

VII.16 Herculaneum, on left, September 2019.

Looking north on Cardo III Superiore towards steps and rectangular structure. Photo courtesy of Klaus Heese.

 

VII.16 Herculaneum. Detail from Great Album of Names, originally discovered 24th/26th May 1739.

Top left is a fragment discovered in the eighteenth century; two new fragments found in 1961 are top right.

Below is a join between an old and a new fragment. Photo courtesy of Prof. Andrew Wallace-Hadrill.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory numbers 3728, 3729.

See Wallace-Hadrill, A. (2011). Herculaneum, Past and Future. London, Frances Lincoln Ltd, (p.139).

According to Wallace-Hadrill –

“Numerous fragments with names carefully cut into handsome white marble slabs, emerged from the earliest Bourbon excavations on

26th May and 1st July 1739. Because at the time there were two excavations, at the Theatre and at the ‘new excavations’ (“nuevas grutus” in Spanish) near Via Mare, there was continuous confusion over what came from where, and it was long believed they came from the Theatre.

Only when, at the end of his career, Amedeo Maiuri was exploring the area of the Basilica did three new fragments emerge, one of which matches perfectly an old fragment.”

See Wallace-Hadrill, A. (2011). Herculaneum, Past and Future. London, Frances Lincoln Ltd, (p.138).

 

Herculaneum, Great Album of Names, discovered 24th May 1739.

See Fiorelli, G. 1868. Catalogo del Museo Nazionale di Napoli - Raccolta epigrafica 2 – Iscrizioni Latine, (p. 127).

 

 

Herculaneum, Great Album of Names, discovered 24th May 1739.

See Fiorelli, G. 1868. Catalogo del Museo Nazionale di Napoli - Raccolta epigrafica 2 – Iscrizioni Latine, (p. 128).

 

 

Herculaneum, Great Album of Names, discovered 24th May 1739.

See Fiorelli, G. 1868. Catalogo del Museo Nazionale di Napoli - Raccolta epigrafica 2 – Iscrizioni Latine, (p. 129).

 

 

Herculaneum, Great Album of Names, discovered 24th May 1739.

See Fiorelli, G. 1868. Catalogo del Museo Nazionale di Napoli - Raccolta epigrafica 2 – Iscrizioni Latine, (p. 130).

See Wallace-Hadrill, A. (2011). Herculaneum, Past and Future. London, Frances Lincoln Ltd, (p.138-145).

 

VII.16 Herculaneum. March 2019.

West side of Cardo III, looking into side doorway of Basilica Noniana.

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR

 

VII.16 Herculaneum. March 2014.

Looking west through doorway on west side of north end of Cardo III.

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

 

VII.16 Herculaneum. March 2014.

Looking west into doorway on west side of north end of Cardo III.

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

 

VII.16 Herculaneum, September 2015. Side doorway into Basilica Noniana on west side of Cardo III.

Only the eastern perimeter wall has so far been brought to light together with two side doorways.

According to Cooley,

“He was a generous benefactor to Herculaneum, and in return received at least a dozen statues during his lifetime, as well as outstanding public honours after his death. The Basilica Noniana which he gave to the town and which included a statue gallery of his family, continued to be named after him, appearing on a wax tablet of AD 61. Until recently there has been confusion over his statue types.

Two portrait types of Nonius Balbus, one depicting a youth and the other a mature man, have tended to be labelled as the proconsul himself and his son, but recent detective work in the archives and on site now shows clearly that all the known portraits are of a single individual, the proconsul, but that unusually he was represented in both youthful and mature styles.”

See Cooley, A. and M.G.L., 2014. Pompeii and Herculaneum: A Sourcebook. London: Routledge, (p.186-191, F94-105)

According to Kraus,

“It is not known when Balbus, a native of Nuceria, decided to live in Herculaneum, nor why.

However, he must have put down roots there before the middle of the first century A.D, if the dating of the statue of his father is correct, and if a statue of a maiden does indeed portray his daughter.

The fact that the city erected statues of members of his family in public places is ample evidence of his services to his adopted city and to the esteem he enjoyed there.

We know of no other individual in Herculaneum nor in Pompeii who went further in an administrative career.

Marcus Nonius Balbus was praetor and then proconsul of Crete and Cyrenaica, and so had first-hand acquaintance not only with the capital but also with distant provinces of the far-flung Empire, where inscriptions have survived in which the grateful communities saluted him as their benefactor.

Herculaneum too, had much to thank him for, as is clear in the unusual decree in which the city council paid homage to him after his death.”

See Kraus T. and von Matt L., 1975. Pompeii and Herculaneum: Living cities of the dead. New York: Abrams, (p.122)

 

VII.16 Herculaneum, September 2015. Excavation tunnel.

For information see Sezione III, I cunicoli borbonici nella zona della Basilica Noniana e del Decumano Massimo,

in Rivista di Studi Pompeiani, XXI, 2010, (p.156-160).

See Pesaresi, P. Lavori di esplorazione e messa in sicurezza dei cunicoli borbonici nell’area della Basilica Noniana e del Decumano Massimo. (p.156).

See Camardo, D., Esposito, D., & Imperatore, C. Svuotamento di alcuni cunicoli borbonici nell’area della Basilica Noniano di Ercolano. (p.156-158).

See Camardo, D., Esposito, D., & Imperatore, C. Lo svuotamento  del cunicolo all’angolo nord-orientale del Decumano Massimo. (p.158-160).

 

VII.16 Herculaneum, September 2015. Looking west into excavation tunnel. Photo courtesy of Michael Binns.

 

VII.16 Herculaneum/Cardo III/Decumanus Maximus, September 2015. Looking west in north-west corner of site.

 

VII.16 Herculaneum/Cardo III/Decumanus Maximus, September 2015. Looking west in north-west corner of site.

 

VII.16 Herculaneum. March 2014. Looking west in north-west corner of site at north end of Cardo III.

Foto Annette Haug, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

 

VII.16 Herculaneum, September 2015. Looking west in north-west corner of site.

 

Statues which may have come from the Basilica

 

Many of the statues said to be from this Basilica may in fact have come from the theatre or vice-versa.

According to Kraus,

“Just which statues adorned the Basilica is difficult to say, since in so many cases the findings were simply lumped together with those from the Theatre”.

“Likewise unknown is the precise disposition of the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Nonius Balbus, the most respected and influential citizen of Herculaneum, and the full length figures of his family”.

See Kraus T. and von Matt L., 1975. Pompeii and Herculaneum: Living cities of the dead. New York: Abrams, (p.120).

 

VII.16 Herculaneum. May 2010. Statue of M. Nonius Balbus.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 6167.

This statue was associated with the base inscription CIL X, 1428.

M(arco) Nonio M(arci) f(ilio) Balbo

pr(aetori) proco(n)s(uli)

d(ecreto) d(ecurionum)   [CIL X 1428]

According to Cooley and Cooley this reads as

To Marcus Nonius Balbus, son of Marcus, praetor, proconsul, by decree of the town councillors.

See Cooley, A. and M.G.L., 2014. Pompeii and Herculaneum: A Sourcebook. London: Routledge, F99, p. 190.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 6873.

 

Herculaneum, public area. April 2023.

White marble statue of Marcus Nonius Balbus, inv. 6104, on display in “Campania Romana” gallery of Naples Archaeological Museum.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

(See also Herculaneum Theatre for more photographs).

 

VII.16 Herculaneum. May 2010. Equestrian statue of the younger M. Nonius Balbus found intact in 1746.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 6104.   Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

 

VII.16 Herculaneum. September 2015. Reproduction equestrian statue of the younger M. Nonius Balbus at Palazzo Reale.

This cast was placed here recently as a reminder of where the original stood in the mid eighteenth century.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 6104.

A copy of the original inscription plaque is attached to the front. When first found this identified the statue as M. Nonius Balbus.

 

Herculaneum. April 2023.

Displayed items in “Campania Romana” gallery of Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

(Note: At Portici in 2015, the Dedication to Marcus Nonius Balbus, inv. 3731, was attached to the base of the equestrian statue of the younger Nonius Balbus, inv. 6104, see below).

 

At top: - Dedication to Marcus Nonius Balbus by the inhabitants of Crete.

Ercolano (Napoli), ignoratur; in situ sulla fronte del basamento di una statua equestre bronzea (secondo Alcubierre) (10 dic. 1746) (inv. 3735)

[M(arco) Nonio M(arci) f(ilio)] Balbo proco(n)s(uli)
[commune] Cretensium patrono.      [CIL X, 1430]

 

At bottom: - Dedication to Marcus Nonius Balbus by the inhabitants of Herculaneum.

Ercolano (Napoli), prob. nel foro (11 ag. 1746) (inv. 3731)

M(arco) Nonio M(arci) f(ilio)
Balbo, pr(aetori), pro co(n)s(uli),
Herculanenses.       [CIL X, 1426]

 

VII.16 Herculaneum. Original inscription plaque is attached to the front of statue base of 6104.

When first found this identified the statues as M. Nonius Balbus.

M(arco) Nonio M(arci) f(ilio)
Balbo, pr(aetori), pro co(n)s(uli),
Herculanenses.   [CIL X 1426]

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 3731.

Photo courtesy of Jørgen Christian Meyer.

 

Herculaneum, public area. April 2023.

White marble equestrian statue of Marcus Nonius Balbus, inv. 6211.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

(For other photographs, see Herculaneum Theatre).

 

VII.16 Herculaneum. May 2010. Equestrian statue of the elder M. Nonius Balbus.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 6211.   Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

According to the information board in the Palazzo Reale at Portici in 2015, the statue was found in 1746 and was in pieces and headless.

The sculpture was believed to depict Balbus the Younger’s father.

Hence, during restoration, Canart made a head for it after a portrait certainly showing Balbus senior, in compliance with the principles of Classicism, which called for full restoration of mutilated sculptures. Actually, the two statues are believed to portray the same individual, being honoured respectively by the towns of Nuceria and Herculaneum.

 

VII.16 Herculaneum. 1782. Two statues of Nonius Balbus, now in Naples Museum.

This drawing, from St Non, shows the elder/father statue with a bearded head.

According to the information board in Palazzo Reale in 2015, this was inspired by the most famous equestrian statue of antiquity, the Marcus Aurelius in Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome, a purely graphical restoration giving a different interpretation from that of Canart.

See Saint Non J., 1782. Voyage Pittoresque ou Description Des Royaumes de Naples et de Sicile : Tome 1 Partie 2, Chap. VIII, p. 36.

 

VII.16 Herculaneum. 1978. Statue of M. Nonius Balbus,

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 6211.

This statue is often identified as the father of M. Nonius Balbus.

The two statues on horseback may be of the same M. Nonius Balbus but portraying earlier and later stages in his life.

See Cooley, A. and M.G.L., 2014. Pompeii and Herculaneum: A Sourcebook. London: Routledge, (p.186-191, F94-105)

Photo by Stanley A. Jashemski.  

Source: The Wilhelmina and Stanley A. Jashemski archive in the University of Maryland Library, Special Collections (See collection page) and made available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial License v.4. See Licence and use details.

J78f0441

According to Wallace-Hadrill, this statue is often thought of as being from the so-called Basilica but in fact was from outside the theatre.

See Wallace-Hadrill, A. 2011. Herculaneum, Past and Future. London, Frances Lincoln Ltd, (p.192).

 

According to the information board in the Palazzo Reale at Portici in 2015, the two statues are believed to portray the same individual, being honoured respectively, by the towns of Nuceria and Herculaneum.

 

VII.16 Herculaneum. 1968.

Statue of the elder M. Nonius Balbus, now in the Naples Museum. Photo by Stanley A. Jashemski.

Source: The Wilhelmina and Stanley A. Jashemski archive in the University of Maryland Library, Special Collections (See collection page) and made available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial License v.4. See Licence and use details.

J68f0839

 

According to Deiss, “On their handsome marble horses, the Proconsul and his son are dressed identically in thigh-long tunics, soft riding shoes, breastplates, swords in scabbards, cloaks thrown over the left shoulders and left arms.

The left hands hold the reins. On the third finger of each left hand is a large signet ring.

The right hands are raised aloft in gestures of imperial command. The Proconsul’s hairline is receding.

The son’s abundant hair is cut short and combed forward in the Roman fashion.

The Proconsul’s face conveys all the haughty authority of a high Roman official who is an overseas administrator.

The son’s face conveys uncertainty, distaste for an assumed role, and resignation.

The Proconsul’s tight lips are curt with self-assurance and executive drive.

The son frowns, and the full lips almost tremble with petulance.

If the sculpture has told the truth, here indeed was a son in severe conflict with the father or other members of the family.”

See Deiss, J.J. (1968). Herculaneum, a city returns to the sun. UK, The History Book Club, (p.143-4).

 

According to Wallace-Hadrill, these statues are often thought of as being from the so-called Basilica but in fact were from outside the theatre.

See Wallace-Hadrill, A. 2011. Herculaneum, Past and Future. London, Frances Lincoln Ltd, (p.192).

 

VII.16 Herculaneum. 1978.

Statue of younger Nonius Balbus, now in Naples Museum. Photo by Stanley A. Jashemski.  

Source: The Wilhelmina and Stanley A. Jashemski archive in the University of Maryland Library, Special Collections (See collection page) and made available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial License v.4. See Licence and use details.

J78f0437

According to Kraus, “The head of Balbus [the younger] is a modern copy made by the sculptor Angelo Brunelli (1740-1806) after the original was destroyed in 1799 by a cannonball fired by the revolutionaries attacking the royal villa and museum in Portici.”

See Kraus T. and von Matt L., 1975. Pompeii and Herculaneum: Living cities of the dead. New York: Abrams, (p.125).

 

According to Wallace-Hadrill, Marcus Nonius Balbus was one of the leading citizens and benefactors of Herculaneum.

He became a praetor in Rome, and the governor (proconsul) of Crete and Cyrene.

In the Basilica Noniana, his portrait in the toga of a citizen, is accompanied by that of his father, with the same name, his mother Viciria, probably his wife Volasennia, and possibly his daughters.

The impression of his face was left in the tufa at the Theatre, from his statue in heroic nudity.

We see statues of him together with his father, both on horseback from a public square outside the Theatre, with an inscription recalling his benefactions to the town.

Finally, his statue can be found on the terrace by the Suburban Baths, in the armour of a Roman commander.

See Wallace-Hadrill, A. 2011. Herculaneum, Past and Future. London, Frances Lincoln Ltd, (p.130-133 and p. 192).

 

VII.16 Herculaneum, 1968.

Statue of Nonius Balbus, now in Naples Museum. Photo by Stanley A. Jashemski.

Source: The Wilhelmina and Stanley A. Jashemski archive in the University of Maryland Library, Special Collections (See collection page) and made available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial License v.4. See Licence and use details.

J68f1413

According to Wallace-Hadrill, this statue is often thought of as being from the so-called Basilica but in fact was from outside the theatre.

See Wallace-Hadrill, A. 2011. Herculaneum, Past and Future. London, Frances Lincoln Ltd, (p.192).

 

VII.16 Herculaneum. Inscription plaque to M. Nonio Balbo.

[M(arco)] Nonio M(arci) f(ilio) / [B]albo pr(aetori) pro[c]o(n)s(uli) / [G]ortyniei ae[re   [CIL X 1434]

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 3736.

Photo courtesy of Jørgen Christian Meyer.

 

According to Cooley and Cooley, this reads as

To Marcus Nonius Balbus, son of Marcus, praetor, proconsul, the people of Gortyn, having made a collection.

Inscriptions show that Nonius Balbus was honoured after his governorship of Crete by the towns of Gortyn and Cnossus [CIL X 1433] as well as by the Cretans as a whole [CIL X 1431-32]

See Cooley, A. and M.G.L., 2014. Pompeii and Herculaneum: A Sourcebook. London: Routledge, F98, p. 189.

 

VII.16, Herculaneum, Basilica Noniana. April 2023.

Marble statue of Viciria, mother of Nonius Balbus, found in the Basilica, inv. 6168.

On display in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

VII, Herculaneum, 1975.

Marble statue of Viciria, mother of Nonius Balbus, found in the Basilica. Photo by Stanley A. Jashemski.  

Source: The Wilhelmina and Stanley A. Jashemski archive in the University of Maryland Library, Special Collections (See collection page) and made available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial License v.4. See Licence and use details.

J75f0575

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum, inventory number 6168.

 

The inscription under the statue read

Viciriae A(uli) f(iliae) Archaid(i) / matri Balbi / d(ecreto) d(ecurionum)   [CIL X 1440]

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum, inventory number 6872.

 

According to Cooley the following inscription was found in the Basilica Noniana with the female statue –

“To Viciria Archais, daughter of Aulus, mother of Balbus, by decree of the town councillors.” (CIL X 1440)

See Cooley, A. and M.G.L., 2014. Pompeii and Herculaneum: A Sourcebook. London: Routledge, (p.190, F101). 

 

VII, Herculaneum, 1975. Detail from statue of Viciria, mother of Nonius Balbus. Photo by Stanley A. Jashemski.  

Source: The Wilhelmina and Stanley A. Jashemski archive in the University of Maryland Library, Special Collections (See collection page) and made available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial License v.4. See Licence and use details.

J75f0574

 

VII.16 Herculaneum, 1975.

Marble statue of Viciria, mother of Nonius Balbus, found in the Basilica Noniana. Photo by Stanley A. Jashemski.

Source: The Wilhelmina and Stanley A. Jashemski archive in the University of Maryland Library, Special Collections (See collection page) and made available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial License v.4. See Licence and use details.

J68f1415

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 6168.

 

Herculaneum theatre or Basilica Noniana. April 2023.

Heroic nude marble statue of Marcus Nonius Balbus. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 6102.

 

Herculaneum theatre. April 2023.

Descriptive card for heroic nude marble statue of Marcus Nonius Balbus, Inventory number 6102. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

VII.16 Herculaneum. Heroic nude statue of M. Nonius Balbus.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 6102.

Photo courtesy Sailko via Wikimedia Commons, licence CC BY-SA 3.0.

 

VII.16, Basilica Noniana, Herculaneum. April 2023. Looking towards statues at side of gallery. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

Herculaneum, public area. April 2023.

White marble “Piccola Ercolanese” type statue of a young woman.

On display in “Campania Romana” gallery of Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 6244.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

Herculaneum, public area. April 2023.

Detail of white marble “Piccola Ercolanese” type statue of a young woman.

On display in “Campania Romana” gallery of Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 6244.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

Herculaneum, public area. April 2023.

Detail of white marble “Piccola Ercolanese” type statue of a young woman.

On display in “Campania Romana” gallery of Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 6244.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

Herculaneum. April 2023. Descriptive card for Piccola Ercolanese statue, inventory number 6244. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

VII.16 Herculaneum. Found in 1739. Second of four sisters of M. Nonius Balbus.

See Real Museo Borbonico II, 1825, Tav. XLI.

 

 

VII, Herculaneum, 1976.

Perhaps one of the sisters of Nonius Balbus, found in the Basilica.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 6244.

 

VII, Herculaneum, 1870s. Photo by Roberto Rive "Balbo Figlia. Museo di Napoli."

 

Herculaneum. April 2023.

Looking along gallery with white marble statues from “Campania Romana” display. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

Herculaneum, public area. April 2023. White marble statue of a young woman.

On display in “Campania Romana” gallery of Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 6248.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

VII.16 Herculaneum. Found in 1739. One of four sisters of M, Nonius Balbus.

See Real Museo Borbonico II, 1825, Tav. XL.

 

Herculaneum, public area. April 2023. White marble statue of a young woman.

On display in “Campania Romana” gallery of Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 6248.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

Herculaneum, public area. April 2023. Detail of white marble statue of a young woman.

On display in “Campania Romana” gallery of Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 6248.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

Herculaneum. April 2023.

Descriptive card for statue of a young woman, inventory number 6248. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

VII, Herculaneum. Sister of M. Nonius Balbus.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 6248.

 

VII, Herculaneum, 1975.

Perhaps one of the daughters of Nonius Balbus, found in the Basilica. Photo by Stanley A. Jashemski.  

Source: The Wilhelmina and Stanley A. Jashemski archive in the University of Maryland Library, Special Collections (See collection page) and made available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial License v.4. See Licence and use details.

J75f0573

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 6248.

 

VII.16 Herculaneum.

Old postcard by A. De Simone, number 147. Sister of M. Nonius Balbus, statue in Naples Museum.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 6248.

 

VII.16 Herculaneum. Found in 1739. Third of four sisters of M. Nonius Balbus.

See Real Museo Borbonico II, 1825, Tav. XLII.

 

VII.16 Herculaneum. 1888. Sister of M. Nonius Balbus.

See Von Sybel, L., 1888. Weltgeschichte der Kunst bis zur Erbauung der Sophienkirche. Marburg: Elwert, taf. 208, p. 254.

 

Herculaneum. April 2023. White marble statue of a young woman.

On display in “Campania Romana” gallery of Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 6249.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

Herculaneum. April 2023. Descriptive card for statue of a young woman, 6249. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

VII.16 Herculaneum. Found in 1739. Fourth of four sisters of M. Nonius Balbus.

See Real Museo Borbonico II, 1825, Tav. XLIII.

 

Old photo titled “From the statue found in the theatre of Herculaneum.

Now in the Museo Nazionale Naples. The Sister of M. Nonius Balbus”,

 

Statue of "Herculaneum woman with head of Antonia".

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 6057.

 

VII, Herculaneum, 1976. Perhaps M. Nonius Balbus.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 6246.

This statue is associated with the inscription CIL X 1439.

M(arco) Nonio M(arci) f(ilio) Balbo

Patri

d(ecreto) d(ecurionum)   [CIL X 1439]

 

Herculaneum Theatre. Statue base inscription associated with statue 6246.

M(arco) Nonio M(arci) f(ilio) Balbo / patri / d(ecreto) d(ecurionum)   [CIL X 1439]

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum, inventory number 6871.

Photo courtesy of Epigraphic Database Heidelberg (http://edh-www.adw.uni-heidelberg.de).

Use subject to licence CC BY-SA 4.0