The house belonged to two freedmen individuals, Aulus Vettutius Conviva (an Augustalis) and Aulus Vettutius Restitutus. The two men were either related somehow, most likely brothers. The identification is based on the names on two bronze seals discovered in the front hall during excavations. The House of the Vettii was not one of the eighteenth-century CE discoveries, which were rifled for their museum-worthy objects. It was excavated between September 1894 and January 1896. There is evidence that the house was disturbed, perhaps looted, shortly after the eruption in 79 CE.

The House of Vetti is located in region VI, near the Vesuvian Gate, bordered by the Vicolo di Mercurio on its south-east side, the Vicolo dei Vettii on the north-east side and Vicolo del Labirinto on its south-west side. The house is one of the largest domus in Pompeii, spanning the entire southern section of block 15. The plan is fashioned in a typical Roman domus with the exception of a tablinum, which is not included. There are twelve mythological scenes across four cubiculum and one triclinium. The house was reopened to tourists in January 2023 after two decades of restoration.

circa 62-79 CE

The current shape and plan of the house most likely dates back to the Augustan period, which resulted due to the extensive remodelling, reconfiguring and reconstruction of the earlier house dating back to the mid first century BCE. The typical tablinum was also removed around the same time, which was found in the atrim space. The currect decorations date back to the post-62 CE earthquake period, under the ownership of the Vettii.

circa 43 BCE- 79 CE

General Plan
The architectural plan of the House of the Vettii is divided into five major areas: i.e. the large atrium, the small atrium, the large peristyle, the small peristyle, and the shop. The house features a large garden as well as main living quarters and servant quarters. The service areas are centered around the smaller atrium while the main occupants remained around the larger atrium. There are two entrances to the main sections of the house, the main entrance is located on the east facade, entered from the Vicolo dei Vettii, and the second is entered from the Vicolo di Mercurio on the southern facade. In addition, there are five small windows on the east facade, two narrow vertical windows on the south facade, and a single small window on the west facade.

The small atrium and small peristyle are located on the north section of the house. The large atrium is surrounded by four bedrooms (cubicula), which belonged most likely to the main occupants of the house. There are also two alae and a winter triclinium surrounding the atrium. To enter the atrium from the main entrance, one has to pass through the fauces and vestibulum. The small atrium is surrounded by four rooms which are believed to have been used by servants and as storage rooms. A kitchen is also located near the small atrium along with a cubiculum meant to house the cook and an impluvium, which was designed to catch rainwater from an opening in the roof. A staircase was found in the southeast corner of the small atrium but the second floor no longer remains.

There are two service areas in the house, the first being centered around the small atrium. The second was accessible from the main atrium of the house as well as the second entrance from the Vicolo di Mercurio on the south facade. Here a large gate opened into the shop or otherwise known as the taberna. Draft animals were moved through this gate and stabled in the shop. Besides the shop is an additional chamber and latrine.

When looking through the main entrance and large atrium, it is possible to view the rear garden, surrounded by the large peristyle. Onlooking the peristyle are two triclinia, an oecus, and two storage rooms. Most of the rooms in the house open to either the front hall or rear garden. The small peristyle is located to the north of the house. Beside the small peristyle are a triclinium and a cubiculum.

Another unique feature, or lack thereof, in the House of the Vettii is the absense of a tablinum, a common "office" area in Pompeian houses.

circa 43 BCE- 79 CE

North Triclinium

circa 43 BCE- 79 CE

Large Atrium

circa 43 BCE- 79 CE

Punishment of Ixion Fresco in North Triclinium
The mythological scene is depicted on the east wall of the north triclinium, adjacent to the large peristyle. It portrays the punishment of Ixion, the Lapith king, for his transgressions against Zeus. According to the myth, Zeus invited Ixion to Olympus, offering him hospitality. However, Ixion betrayed this trust by desiring Hera, Zeus’s wife. To expose Ixion’s intentions, Zeus fashioned the cloud goddess Nephele in Hera's likeness. Ixion’s union with Nephele resulted in the birth of the centaurs. As retribution, Zeus expelled Ixion from Olympus and commanded Hermes to bind him to a flaming, winged wheel that would spin for eternity.

In the fresco, Ixion is bound to the wheel, with Hermes prominently positioned in the foreground. Hermes is recognizable by his winged sandals and caduceus. Behind the wheel stands Hephaestus, his hand resting on it as if preparing to set it in motion. Meanwhile, Hermes holds the wheel steady, directing his gaze toward Hera. Seated to the right, Hera is enthroned, adorned with a golden crown and holding a long scepter. To her side, her messenger Iris extends her arm, presenting Ixion’s eternal punishment. Hera, pulling aside her delicate veil, watches the scene intently. A young woman seated near Hermes raises her hand, and scholars debate her identity, suggesting she could be either Ixion’s mother or Nephele.