Spurius Tadius

Spurius Tadius, also Ludius or Studius, was a Roman muralist of the Augustan period. His exact date of birth and death are unknown. Some manuscripts refer to him by alternate names, including Studius and Ludius.^[1]

Tadius painted landscape murals during the reign of Augustus. He was noted for his scenes of villas and ports.^[2] According to Pliny the Elder's Natural History, he introduced this genre of painting to Rome;^[3] many frescoes consistent with his style have been found in Roman villas of the period, although none have been credited to him.