I've been to Villa Adriana several times and tried to imagine what the site would have looked like in its prime. This project has truly brought Hadrian's palace back to life. The colors, the sound of fountains splashing,the marbles and painted statues. What a tremendous contribution to the study and enjoyment of ancient history. Grazie mille.
Marta - good catch! There is debate over whether the Doric Pillars was roofed or not, and I actually reconstructed the building both ways, but of course, only the roofed version is shown here. The evidence for it being roofed is: 1) the intricate (and valuable) opus sectile paving would have otherwise been exposed to the elements, and 2) the lack of gutters/rainwater management. Evidence for it being roofless is less compelling - simply that the span of the courtyard is very large and would have been difficult to roof.
Thanks I always feel disorientated with tivoli because of the lack of sources! Can you reccomend any books? Also what of all the areas which have not been excavated?
marto rezz The definitive (although becoming dated) book in english is Pinto and MacDonald's "Hadrian's Villa and its Legacy". There are some scientific archaeological studies in german by Hoffman (Das Gartenstadion in der Villa Hadriana). As far as I know, nearly all of the villa proper has been excavated, but there are some structures on private land (the academia, the grande trapezio, etc...) that could use further study and more scientific excavation.
Cheers thanks! I'm currently using coarelli's guide to Lazio which is very detailed but its not exhaustive enough...Congratulations on the whole ordeal its impressively well done!
+XSC Gaming Nevermind, I found it, after listening to it carefully [I study classical music] I thought it sounded like Mozart, FOR THOSE WHO ARE OBSESSED WITH THIS NEAT MOVEMENT, its called : Gran Partita [Serenade No.10 for Winds KV.361 Movement VI - Tema con Variazioni]
The reconstructions are fascinating and beautiful, but the whole presentation would be improved immensely if the narration could be changed. I don't know why American narration is so infuriatingly perky, but we seem to require it even though the results almost always sound false (not to mention the constant emphasis on the wrong words, so that the experience bears little resemblance to normal speech). So. . .visually superb, aurally excruciating. Perhaps the budget could stretch to hiring Jeremy Irons?!
Guess again; thousands of workers toiled away here, who knows how many visitors...and you think word didn't get back to Rome? It was probably one of the most popular topics at the time. Nero was taken down because he acted like a fool and also was killing the wrong people (like his mother), not because he employed a lot of workers and build huge...but also because of WHERE he built his Palace, taking over prime downtown real estate after the fire.
I'm not so sure. First, the place was clearly built for large numbers of guests and servants. Second, few ancient people had the concept of social equality. Naturally, your "betters" would live better than you. Having said that, I do wonder if Hadrian took his wife or his boyfriend Antinous to join him in banquets and at the theaters. Also, where in the villa would couples sneak off for a tryst?
I've been to Villa Adriana several times and tried to imagine what the site would have looked like in its prime. This project has truly brought Hadrian's palace back to life. The colors, the sound of fountains splashing,the marbles and painted statues. What a tremendous contribution to the study and enjoyment of ancient history. Grazie mille.
Thanks for prompt reply. Incredible reconstruction!
love to see how you can build this model in 2023 , it will be little easier with your skill set now
I'm currently working on some parts of it for my dissertation!
Imagine your home being abandoned, found a thousand years later, then recreated on a computer.
wild, right?
Wonderful video!
How long did it take to construct the Villa? How many people involved in the construcrion? Do we know who the architect/designer was?
It's good to be king!
Great video! Q: What material were the "beams" made of that rested on the columns and heads around the Canopus (ref 2:48)?
Where were the kitchens?
Probably by the slaves' quarters, outside the more palatial part of the villa.
I had always understood the building with the doric pillars was roofless? can you give evidence for this?
Marta - good catch! There is debate over whether the Doric Pillars was roofed or not, and I actually reconstructed the building both ways, but of course, only the roofed version is shown here.
The evidence for it being roofed is: 1) the intricate (and valuable) opus sectile paving would have otherwise been exposed to the elements, and 2) the lack of gutters/rainwater management.
Evidence for it being roofless is less compelling - simply that the span of the courtyard is very large and would have been difficult to roof.
Thanks I always feel disorientated with tivoli because of the lack of sources! Can you reccomend any books? Also what of all the areas which have not been excavated?
marto rezz The definitive (although becoming dated) book in english is Pinto and MacDonald's "Hadrian's Villa and its Legacy". There are some scientific archaeological studies in german by Hoffman (Das Gartenstadion in der Villa Hadriana). As far as I know, nearly all of the villa proper has been excavated, but there are some structures on private land (the academia, the grande trapezio, etc...) that could use further study and more scientific excavation.
Cheers thanks! I'm currently using coarelli's guide to Lazio which is very detailed but its not exhaustive enough...Congratulations on the whole ordeal its impressively well done!
White marble - the statues supporting it are "Caryatids", as at the porch of the Erechtheion on the Acropolis.
a Daddy with taste and means
Whats the nice music featured in this video Matthew?
+XSC Gaming Nevermind, I found it, after listening to it carefully [I study classical music] I thought it sounded like Mozart, FOR THOSE WHO ARE OBSESSED WITH THIS NEAT MOVEMENT, its called : Gran Partita [Serenade No.10 for Winds KV.361 Movement VI - Tema con Variazioni]
Beutifull Tivoli...ancient Sikelicòn
The reconstructions are fascinating and beautiful, but the whole presentation would be improved immensely if the narration could be changed. I don't know why American narration is so infuriatingly perky, but we seem to require it even though the results almost always sound false (not to mention the constant emphasis on the wrong words, so that the experience bears little resemblance to normal speech). So. . .visually superb, aurally excruciating. Perhaps the budget could stretch to hiring Jeremy Irons?!
EE: Yes! Everyone knows the Romans had British accents and mannerisms!
I bet many Romans didnt know about this place otherwise he might be remembered like Nero is
Guess again; thousands of workers toiled away here, who knows how many visitors...and you think word didn't get back to Rome? It was probably one of the most popular topics at the time. Nero was taken down because he acted like a fool and also was killing the wrong people (like his mother), not because he employed a lot of workers and build huge...but also because of WHERE he built his Palace, taking over prime downtown real estate after the fire.
I'm not so sure. First, the place was clearly built for large numbers of guests and servants. Second, few ancient people had the concept of social equality. Naturally, your "betters" would live better than you.
Having said that, I do wonder if Hadrian took his wife or his boyfriend Antinous to join him in banquets and at the theaters. Also, where in the villa would couples sneak off for a tryst?