Huge water cistern found at the ‘Villa of Augustus’ near Nola
A water cistern 30 metres long and 10 metres wide has been unearthed at the so-called ‘Villa of Augustus’ located at Somma Vesuviana near Nola, where tradition holds that Emperor Augustus died on the 19th of August in AD 14.
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The Villa of Augustus at Somma Vesuviana, Naples [Credit: Apolline Project] |
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View of the newly found cistern at the Villa of Augustus [Credit: Apolline Project] |
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Archaeologists working at a storage area at the Villa of Augustus [Credit: Apolline Project] |
The villa was discovered in the 1930's when a 12 metre long arched colonnade was revealed. The villa's walls are adorned with impressive frescoes, like the ‘Nereids and Tritons fresco’, and elegant statues, like the young Dionysus with panther, that stood in its numerous alcoves.
The exceptionally rich findings, the huge dimensions of the villa, the period in which was built (1st cent. AD), and its proximity to Nola are associated with Tacitus’ reference in the ‘Annales’ to the villa ‘apud urbem Nolam’ where Augustus is said to have died.
Source: Il Mattino [October 04, 2016]
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