Vespasian's Imperial Villa Discovered North East of Rome

A luxurious villa dating from the time of the emperor Titus Flavius Vespasian has been uncovered in the Sabine countryside about 100km north east of Rome. The size, opulence and date of the villa are very strong indications that it is in the fact the villa of Vespasian himself, who is known to have owned a summer residence in the area near Cittareale, north east of the provincial town of Rieti (also a Roman town).

The discovery was made in the past few days and if it is confirmed that the thermal baths, columns and mosaic flooring are that of Vespasian's villa, it will be a timely discovery coinciding with celebrations of the emperor's 2,000th birthday.

Vespasian became emperor in 69 AD with the support and backing of much of the Roman army. He successfully restored peace and imperial authority, following the tyrannical rule of Nero and the in-fighting during the short reigns of Galba, Otho and Vitellius during the 'year of the four emperors'. But perhaps his most famous and long-lasting achievement was the Colosseum, which was built during his and his sons' reign.

He was born at Falacrinae, a small village in the Sabine countryside north east of Rome and he was the first successful emperor not to come from the imperial Julio-Claudian family, which had ruled until the death of Nero. Vespasian made his name and won respect as a brave, down-to-earth and intelligent commander in the army, but he is thought to have kept his ties with Falacrinae. The mayor of Cittareale, Pierluigi Feliciangeli, commented: “We knew from literary sources that Falacrinae existed, but there has never been any trace of it.” Until now that is.

It seems likely that experts are now a step closer to locating the birth-town of Vespasian. A group of archaeologists are still excavating, directed by professor Filippo Coarelli, an archaeologist from the University of Perugia. The British School at Rome and the Archaeological Authority of Lazio are also collaborating on the project.  

Professor Coarelli told Italy's La Stampa: “We haven't found any inscription, so there is no certainty. But the epoch, the quality of the rooms, the location and the fact there are no other villas in the surrounding area - these factors all point to a residence from the Flavian dynasty.”

According to the paper the main room of the villa in particular was enough to 'take your breath away'. The floor is decorated with coloured mosaics made of precious marble from north Africa.

An inscribed stone was found more than a decade ago near to the site currently being explored. The stone's inscription celebrated the participation of a man from Falacrinae in the social wars of 91-89 BC and is further evidence suggesting an association between ancient Falacrinae and this luxurious villa.

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