Villa of Diomedes Villa of the Papyri Villa of the Mysteries
Transcript
Slide 1
Villa of Diomedes Villa of the Papyri Villa of the
Mysteries
Slide 2
The Villa of Doimedes The Villa Of Diomedes was discovered in
1771-1774. It is located in suburban Pompeii, on the Via dei
Sepolcri. Historians have inferred that the villa was owned by
Arrius Diomedes after finding his tomb opposite the villa. The
villa was of vast proportions and was spread over different levels.
It had two entrances and the largest garden in the Pompeian region.
It is one of the wealthiest villas in Pompeii.
Slide 3
The Villa of the Papyri Discovered by Karl Webber in 1750 1765,
the villa is situated on the coastal outskirts of Herculaneum,
without other buildings to obstruct the view of the sea. It was
owned by the senator, Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus the father
in law of Julius Caesar. The villa was built approximately 1 st
Century BC. The villa was named after the library of the house, of
which contained 1785 carbonized papyrus scrolls. American oil
tycoon Paul Getty had a reconstruction of this Villa built in
Malibu, California. It opened in 1974.
Slide 4
The Villa of Mysteries The Villa of Mysteries (Villa dei
Misteri) lies approximately 800m north-west of Pompeii. It is a
suburban villa, located outside the city walls. It is one of the
most well preserved buildings in Pompeii, with very little damage
to important artefacts. The villa contained grand rooms from dining
and entertaining. The owner remains a mystery, however historians
believe it may own to a L. Istacidius Zosimus, a freedman of the
powerful Istacidii family.
Slide 5
Ground Plan Of The Villa Of Diomedes This ground plan of the
Villa Of Diomedes clearly depicts the spacious layout of the abode.
The sheer size of the complex is indicative of the high wealth and
social class of the owner. The impluvium and peristyle can be
clearly seen the presence and size of these features also
indicating wealth The back entrance of the villa (seen top centre)
is located opposite to the tomb of Arrius Diomedes : it is from the
presence of this tomb that ownership was established.
Slide 6
Baths Complex In Villa Of Diomedes The presence of a private
baths complex in the Villa of Diomedes provides another indicator
of the owners vast wealth, as this was very rare. The bath complex
was complete rivalling with the public bath complexes of Pompeii
fitted with an apodyterium, a tepidarium, and a caldarium. The
caldarium, like those of the public baths, had a bath basin and a
semicircular niche for the labrum.
Slide 7
Longitudinal Section Of Tablinum This longitudinal section of
the tablinum illustrates the presence of a second level. Although
the discovery of upper storeys were rare in Pompeii due to the
eruption of Vesuvius, the Villa of Diomedes followed the natural
terrain and, therefore, the upper storeys need not be constructed
of wood, but built of stone.
Slide 8
Bodies Found In Villa Of Diomedes A total of 20 bodies were
found in the Villa of Diomedes, proof of the devastating effect of
the eruption. 2 bodies were found, entangled, at the back entrance,
on one of which was found a gold ring, silver key and a wad of 1356
sesterces. 18 other bodies, all of women and children, were found
in the basements, suffocated by the fumes. It is believed these
were the slaves of the household. The presence of the slaves in
this upper class villa indicated the presence of social classes in
Pompeii
Slide 9
Papyrus Recovered From the Villa of Papyri This fragment of a
papyrus scroll of the villa is evidence of the existence of the
papyrus library located inside the villa. The written text
illustrates the recording of facts/events etc. The presence of the
library cements the owner as a man of the upper class.
Slide 10
Ground Plan of the Villa Of Papyri This ground plan clearly
illustrates the capacity of the Villa. The site contained a house
(240m x 140m) and a large peristyle (100m x 26m) of which on
centred on a pool (65m x 8m) grand dimensions even by today's
standards. The sheer size of this dwelling is indicative of the
wealth of the owner as well as his social standing. The ground plan
also displays a kitchen and library both of which arent uncommon to
the houses of the wealthy.
Slide 11
Amadeo Maiuri ...N O BUILDINGS TO OBSTRUCT ITS VIEW, AND BELOW
IT WAS A LARGE GARDEN DESCENDING INTO THE LITTLE PORT THAT MUST
HAVE SERVED THE OBLIGATORY LANDING PLACE FROM THE SEA ; ABOVE IT
RAN THE PUBLIC COAST ROAD THAT LED TO THE CITY S DECUMAN, AND IT
MUST HAVE COMMANDED ALL THE FREEDOM AND BREADTH OF VISTA THAT ITS
FORTUNATE POSITION COULD OFFER... Maiuri effectively describes the
grandeur of the villa, its ideal position and its features. The
mention of a small port relates to wealth and the public coast road
indicates the easy accessibility.
Slide 12
Reconstruction of the Villa: the Getty Villa: California In
1974, the Getty Villa was opened to the public. It is a
proportional reconstruction of the Villa of Papyri. The
reconstruction illustrates the original grandeur of the villa, as
well as allowing one to view the villa as it would have been before
the eruption in 79AD. The reconstruction is supported by the
original in Pompeii as well as numerous written and archaeological
sources.
Slide 13
Wine Press in the Villa Of Mysteries This restored wine press
was found in the Villa of Mysteries together with numerous other
pieces of wine-making apparatus. The fact that this was not
uncommon in houses of the wealthy is also supported by other
wealthy houses and villas. The wine press also indicates the
resources of the region and available technology.
Slide 14
Ground Plan of the Villa of Mysteries This ground plan clearly
displays the peristyle, wine press & cellar, kitchen, and the
atrium. The wine rooms indicate wealth, as do the kitchens. The
size of the villa also indicates wealth and social class of the
owner - therefore suggesting that even though freedmen were once
slaves, it is possible for them to accumulate wealth.
Slide 15
Photograph of Fresco in Villa Of Mysteries This fresco
illustrates the religious rituals, practise and beliefs of the Cult
of Dionysus a mystery cult of the region. It also illustrates an
established religion as well as the Greek influences of the
town.
Slide 16
Kitchens of the Villa Of Mysteries These kitchens found in the
villa of mysteries is a great indicator of wealth as it was very
rare to find a private kitchen. They also provide insight in to the
preparation of food