A mural depicting an erotic scene involving Zeus' lover Leda and a swan has been put on display for the first time today in Pompeii.
The incredibly well preserved fresco - which is a mural painted on fresh plaster - was discovered in Regio V, a 54-acre archaeological site to the north of the ancient Roman city of Pompeii last year.
It is believed to have been in the bedroom of an upper-class townhouse on Via del Vesuvio, belonging to a rich merchant with a love for adorning his home with opulent Greek myth murals.
Pictured holding a swan on her lap while not wearing any clothes the mythical Leda has been found painted in similar scenes in houses in Pompeii and nearby Herculaneum which were both covered with molten lava as Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD79.
The myth goes that Leda was seduced or raped by Zeus (the Olympian king of the gods and Roman god Jupiter) masquerading in the form of a swan.
On the same night she is said to have laid with her mortal husband King Thestius leading to the creation of two swan eggs and birth of four children with god-like qualities Helen of Troy, Clytemnestra, Castor and Pollux.
For the first time the fresco will be available to view in the Leda and the Swan room today - other newly opened areas include the restored Central Baths and House of the Golden Cupids.
The find, 13 by 18 inches, was made during ongoing work to consolidate the ancient city's structures after rains and wear-and-tear in past years caused some ruins to collapse.
Only a small portion of the room has been excavated meaning more treasures could hide underneath.
Vesuvius destroyed Pompeii, Oplontis, and Stabiae under ashes and rock fragments, and the city of Herculaneum under a mudflow.
Speaking about the discovery last year Pompeii archaeological park director Massimo Osanna told Italian news agency ANSA about the legend of Leda and the swan.
He says the scene of the bird impregnating the mythical woman was a common theme in Pompeii interior design.
Mr Osanna went on to praise the fresco as exceptional due to the appearance of the mortal woman looking at whoever's gazing at the fresco.
He said: 'Leda watches the spectator with a sensuality that's absolutely pronounced.'
Regio V is planned to be totally opened to the public eventually - the excavations, funded by the EU Great Pompeii project, began last year.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
