Ancient Roman Villa Found on the Edge of Rome, Allegedly Related to Three Emperors

JAKARTA - Archaeologists have discovered a luxurious villa from the first century in Castel di Guido, a suburb of Rome. This finding is interesting because the area is suspected of having been visited by three Roman emperors: Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius.

The Independent, quoted Tuesday, June 16, reported that the villa was found about 19 kilometers west of the walls of Rome, in the ancient area of Lorium. This area is not a common place. Previously, a property associated with Emperor Antoninus Pius was also found there.

This case began with a report from residents about illegal excavations on government-owned land. Local police intervened. After that, archaeologists conducted emergency excavations to inventory and secure the structure of the building.

"Thanks to the reports of local residents and quick action, we were able to identify parts of a large imperial-era villa that were previously unknown," said archaeologist Alessia Contino from the Italian Ministry of Culture.

He said the team also found a row of beautiful decorations and a statue of fine white marble.

Daniela Porro, Special Supervisor of Rome under the Italian Ministry of Culture, said the findings showed the richness of Rome's archaeological heritage, even outside the historic city center.

The excavation found walls that are still well-preserved up to 1.5 meters high, mosaics, and painted plaster. For a building that is almost two thousand years old, the condition is clearly stealing the spotlight.

The researchers also identified the atrium of the villa. The atrium is an open space in the center of a Roman house. At the location, a sunken pool in the middle was found as well as geometric and plant-motif decorations.

A number of rooms feature intricate mosaic floors. One room has nine black-and-white geometric panels. Another room features a black octagon motif on a white background. There is also a room with a black rectangular pattern.

Archaeologists also found structures that indicate the villa was used for various activities. This strengthens the suspicion that the building was not an ordinary house, but a Roman elite residence.

Another interesting finding is a broken statue depicting a bearded figure carrying a small animal. The animal is suspected to be a calf or a piglet.

Researchers suspect that the figure is the god Silvanus, a rural god associated with the agrarian world. In Roman tradition, symbols like this are close to land life, crops, and landowners.

"The quality of the findings, the decoration of the mosaics, and the paintings show the high social status of the villa owners," the researchers said.

The owner of the villa is not known. However, early evidence points to Roman aristocrats, possibly people close to the imperial family.

The villa is estimated to have been built in the early first century and abandoned in the third century. The Lorium area itself is recorded as having been visited by Hadrian. Antoninus Pius later built a residence there. Marcus Aurelius is also known to have been in the area.

Historical records say the family of Antoninus Pius's father and mother, who ruled from 138-161 AD, lived in Lorium.

These findings provide new material for reading the life of the Roman elite in the first century. Not only from the palace and the war, but also from the villas, mosaic floors, old walls, and broken statues that have been saved from illegal excavations.