Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
Imagine living in a villa that offers stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and two neighboring islands. Imagine hosting parties and entertaining guests on your spacious terraces overlooking the gulf of Naples. Imagine being one of the most influential figures in Roman history.
That’s what Pliny the Elder might have experienced when he lived in his beach house near Misenum, a port city on the Tyrrhenian Sea that was part of his naval command.
The villa was discovered last week by archaeologists who were building a children’s playground and recreation area south of Naples. They were surprised by what they found: a magnificent clifftop mansion that dates back to the first century AD.
The villa is now partly submerged by water due to negative bradyseism, a phenomenon that causes gradual sinking of land into deeper layers due to volcanic activity. But even before that happened, it was already eroded by time and nature.
The villa consists of 10 large rooms with floors made of marble tiles arranged in geometric patterns. The walls are decorated with intricate mosaics made of shells and coral. The roof is supported by wooden beams covered with tiles.
The most impressive feature of the villa is its panoramic outdoor terraces that offer breathtaking views of the sea and the islands. From there, Pliny could watch over his naval operations or enjoy some leisure time with his friends.
Pliny was not only a powerful military leader but also a prolific writer who wrote about various topics such as history, science, literature and philosophy. He was also known for his curiosity and generosity. He sent letters to Emperor Trajan asking for advice on how to deal with pirates and fires.
Pliny’s villa near Misenum was one of his many residences throughout his life. He also owned another villa on Capri island where he died in 79 AD at age 62.
Pliny’s legacy lives on through his writings which have been preserved by ancient authors such as Tacitus and Suetonius. His villa near Misenum is now part of Italy’s cultural heritage and attracts visitors who want to admire its beauty and mystery.
The discovery is even more exceptional given that we know very little about Misenum or its port city which was one of Rome’s most important colonies in the western Mediterranean region. Archaeologists hope to shed more light on not only Pliny’s life but also on Misenum’s history and role in Roman civilization.
