The Roman Villa in the Mediterranean Basin
Late Republic to Late Antiquity

Examines the history, architecture, and impact of Roman villas across the Mediterranean, from their origins to the collapse of the Roman Empire.

Annalisa Marzano (Edited by), Guy P. R. Métraux (Edited by)

9781107164314, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 12 July 2018

634 pages, 244 b/w illus. 21 maps
28.7 x 22.2 x 3.7 cm, 2.33 kg

'… poised to become a standard reference on the archaeology of the Roman villa from the late Republic through late antiquity … the book offers a comprehensive overview … Its content is valuable …' Sarah Beckmann, Bryn Mawr Classical Review

This volume offers a comprehensive survey of Roman villas in Italy and the Mediterranean provinces of the Roman Empire, from their origins to the collapse of the Empire. The architecture of villas could be humble or grand, and sometimes luxurious. Villas were most often farms where wine, olive oil, cereals, and manufactured goods, among other products, were produced. They were also venues for hospitality, conversation, and thinking on pagan, and ultimately Christian, themes. Villas spread as the Empire grew. Like towns and cities, they became the means of power and assimilation, just as infrastructure, such as aqueducts and bridges, was transforming the Mediterranean into a Roman sea. The distinctive Roman/Italian villa type was transferred to the provinces, resulting in Mediterranean-wide culture of rural dwelling and work that further unified the Empire.

Preface
Introduction
1. The Roman villa in the Mediterranean: an overview Annalisa Marzano and Guy P.R. Métraux
2. The Roman villa. Definitions and variations Ursula Rothe
Part I. Roman Villas in or Near the Bay of Naples and Maritime Villas: Current Research: 3. The 'Villa of the Mysteries' at Pompeii and the ideals of Hellenistic hospitality Andrew Wallace-Hadrill
4. The building history and aesthetics of the 'Villa of Poppaea' at Torre Annunziata: results from the Oplontis Project 2005–14 John R. Clarke
5. Landscape at the 'Villa of Poppaea' (Villa A) at Torre Annunziata Mantha Zarmakoupi
6. The villas of Stabiae Thomas Noble Howe
7. The Roman villa of Positano Adele Campanelli, Giovanni Di Maio, Riccardo Iaccarino, Maria Antonietta Iannelli, Luciana Jacobelli
8. Maritime villas and the resources of the sea Annalisa Marzano
9 The 'Villa of Augustus' at Somma Vesuviana Masanori Aoyagi, Antonio De Simone and Girolamo F. De Simone
Part II. Roman Villas in the Mediterranean: Current Research: 10. Villas in Southern Italy Maurizio Gualtieri
11. Villas in Northern Italy Gian Pietro Brogiolo and Alexandra Chavarría Arnau
12. Roman villas in Sicily Roger J. A. Wilson
13. Villas in south and southwestern Gaul Loïc Buffat
14. Villas in Hispania and Lusitania Felix Teichner
15. Roman villas in the Maltese archipelago Anthony Bonanno
16. Villas in North Africa Roger J. A. Wilson
17. The Roman villa at Apollonia Oren Tal and Israel Roll
18. Houses of the wealthy in Roman Galilee Zeev Weiss
19. Villas in Greece and the Islands Maria Papaioannou
20. Villas of the eastern Adriatic and Ionian coastlands William Bowden
Part III. Roman Villas: Late Antique Manifestations: 21. Late antique villas: themes Guy P. R. Métraux
22. Aristocratic residences in late antique Hispania Gisela Ripoll
23. Christianization of villas Kimberly Bowes
Part IV. Roman Villas: Later Manifestations: 24. Conviviality versus seclusion in Pliny's Tuscan and Laurentine villas Pierre de la Ruffinière du Prey
25. The 'Villa dei Papiri': Herculaneum and Malibu Kenneth Lapatin
Conclusion Annalisa Marzano and Guy P. R. Métraux.

Subject Areas: Classical Greek & Roman archaeology [HDDK], Archaeology by period / region [HDD], Archaeology [HD]