Hadrian's Villa, Roman villa in Tivoli, Italy
Hadrian's Villa is a sprawling archaeological site at the foot of the Tiburtine Mountains near Tivoli, about 19 miles (30 kilometers) east of Rome. The complex spreads across gently sloping terrain and includes ruins of palaces, temples, gardens, pools, and baths connected by pathways and terraces.
Emperor Hadrian commissioned the residence between 118 and 138 AD to create a seat of government outside Rome that reflected elements from his travels across the empire. After his death, later emperors continued to use the compound, but it fell into neglect during the Middle Ages and served as a quarry for building materials.
The Canopus takes its name from the Egyptian city and the Nile canal leading to it. The long pool there stood before a domed exedra with a semicircular stibadium for open-air banquets. Its sculptural program included copies of the Erechtheion caryatids, a statue of the dwarf god Bes, and a crocodile.
The park is large and requires several hours on foot, so comfortable shoes and sun protection are advisable. The museum near the entrance displays finds from excavations and provides an overview of the site before exploring the outdoor areas.
The Maritime Theatre is among the villa's earliest structures, and its layout of a circular portico around a small island ringed by a moat suggests a private quarter of the palace. The sources describe it as one of the first buildings begun at the villa.
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