- Architecture and power, Roman imperial villas, Hadrianic architecture, Roman Villae, Pompeii (Archaeology), Pompeii and Herculaneum, Roman Wall Painting, Roman Painting, and 41 moreDomestic Architecture (Roman), Pompeii, Roman domestic space, Phlegraean Fields, Casa Del Menandro, Masonry Style, Pompeian First Style decorative system, I stile pompeiano, Archaeology, Urban Studies, Classics, Classical Archaeology, Roman History, Archaeology of Architecture, Ancient Greek and Roman Art, Archaeology of Buildings, Roman Art, Roman Architecture, Roman Archaeology, Bradisismo, Campanian Archaeology, Roman Empire, Archeologia, Roman Campania, Roman Iconography, Graeco-Roman Mosaics and Wall Paintings, Campania, Archeologia Classica, Ancient Greek Iconography, Roman Sculpture, Herculaneum, Roman Religion, Archaeology of Mediterranean Trade, Alto Medioevo, Archeologia medievale, Medieval Naples, Ducato Di Napoli, Naples Middle Ages, Medieval South Italy, Napoli Alto Medioevo, and Archeologia Cristianaedit
- I was born in Naples in 1974, I hold degrees in Conservation of Cultural Heritage from the University Suor Orsola Ben... moreI was born in Naples in 1974, I hold degrees in Conservation of Cultural Heritage from the University Suor Orsola Benincasa of Naples and in Classical Archaeology from the University of Basilicata.A specialist of Roman wall-painting, I was adjunct professor of "Classical Archaeology" at the University Suor Orsola Benincasa of Naples (2009-2010), Visiting Researcher at the University of Tokyo (from 2004 to 2009), German Archaeological Institute fellow (2011) and Fritz Thyssen Stiftung postdoctoral fellow (Förderung italienischer Nachwuchswissenschaftler an deutschen Institutionen in Italien, 2013). From 2004 to 2009 I was Technical Director (SOA OS25, OS2) of the restoration company Euris srl. I have been member or consultant in numerous international scientific projects and excavations since 1997, most recently serving as scientific director of excavation and restoration projects linked to the Grande Progetto Pompeii. I am currently the Technical Director (SOA OS25, OS2) of the restoration company Omnia Restauri srl. I’m member of the Venus Pompeiana Project (VPP). It is a collaboration between the University of Missouri-Columbia and Mount Allison University, under the auspices of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, to resume study of the Sanctuary of Venus at Pompeii. I’m Vice-president of the INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR ARCHAEOLOGY AND ETHNOLOGY (I.R.I.A.E.) I’m codirector of the archaeological excavation of the Tobiotsuka Kofun (Mound tomb) in Japan, the core activity of the Project BE-ARCHAEO Archaeology and Science from the excavation to the restoration of the archaeological find (European H2020 MSCA RISE 2018 ). It is an International Project financed by EU and Japan Foundation, that involves the Okayama University, Turin University, IRIAE, University of Lisboa. I'm member of Expeditions of Italian Ministry of Foreign Affair in the context of the cooperation between Italy and Japan since 2017 and Director of the expedition in Tokyo: “Study, reconstruction and conservation of the Historical Garden of the Italian Embassy in Tokyo” and “Edo Castle Mission”.
I am the founder of Archeologia a Napoli (Archaeology in Naples) born with the aim of financing independent scientific research in the field of archaeology and cultural heritage, and the editor of the series "Enolibro, pagine da bere" published by Valtrend.edit
Presso gli antichi la viticoltura era un segno della presenza umana e il vino era un segno di civiltà, in quanto nato dal sapere dell'uomo che manipola il frutto della vite. Oltre all'aspetto culturale, il vino e la produzione vinicola... more
Presso gli antichi la viticoltura era un segno della presenza umana e il vino era un segno di civiltà, in quanto nato dal sapere dell'uomo che manipola il frutto della vite.
Oltre all'aspetto culturale, il vino e la produzione vinicola hanno da sempre costituito una fonte di economia. La tradizione enologica della Campania durante il periodo romano si perfezionò grazie a sofisticate tecniche ancor oggi in uso e diffuse in tutta Europa; di esse già parlavano antichi trattatisti come Catone, Varrone, Columella e l'enciclopedista Plinio. Attraverso la lettura di alcuni passi scelti di autori che tanto hanno tessuto le lodi della Campania non proponiamo un manuale sulla viticoltura, ma un libro che invita alla conoscenza di questa terra straordinaria.
Oltre all'aspetto culturale, il vino e la produzione vinicola hanno da sempre costituito una fonte di economia. La tradizione enologica della Campania durante il periodo romano si perfezionò grazie a sofisticate tecniche ancor oggi in uso e diffuse in tutta Europa; di esse già parlavano antichi trattatisti come Catone, Varrone, Columella e l'enciclopedista Plinio. Attraverso la lettura di alcuni passi scelti di autori che tanto hanno tessuto le lodi della Campania non proponiamo un manuale sulla viticoltura, ma un libro che invita alla conoscenza di questa terra straordinaria.
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Nel panorama delle bellezze dei Campi Flegrei tra i tanti crateri vulcanici si celano tesori unici di cui alcuni poco noti, quali certamente il cratere degli Astroni, che ci appare come una “montagna capovolta” che ne fa un luogo unico... more
Nel panorama delle bellezze dei Campi Flegrei tra i tanti crateri vulcanici si celano tesori unici di cui alcuni poco noti, quali certamente il cratere degli Astroni, che ci appare come una “montagna capovolta” che ne fa un luogo unico per la tutela della fauna e della flora, altri più noti quali Agnano con le sue Terme ed altri ancora universalmente noti quali la Solfatara, che continua ad attrarre turisti da tutto il mondo.
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Attraverso le pagine degli Annali di Tacito scopriremo i luoghi e ripercorreremo le vicende dei primi imperatori romani in Campania. Lo storico romano, noto per la sua prosa concisa e coinvolgente, allude, accenna, insinua, riferisce voci... more
Attraverso le pagine degli Annali di Tacito scopriremo i luoghi e ripercorreremo le vicende dei primi imperatori romani in Campania. Lo storico romano, noto per la sua prosa concisa e coinvolgente, allude, accenna, insinua, riferisce voci e dicerie con cui rivela i lati oscuri dei suoi personaggi. Egli è anche uno storico accurato e documentato, forse non obiettivo, ma quale storico lo è davvero? La capacità di Tacito di ritrarre i personaggi a tutto tondo rende la sua opera ideale per narrare le vicende in cui la storia della nostra terra si intreccia con quella dei principi e dell'Impero romano.
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Marcello Mogetta, Ilaria Battiloro, Ivan Varriale, Daniel P. Diffendale, Giordano Iacomelli, Mattia D’Acri, Chiara Corbino, Chiara Comegna, Giacomo Pardini (2022): "Archaeological Research at the Sanctuary of Venus in Pompeii: Interim Report of the 2018-2019 Seasons of the Venus Pompeiana Project"more
As part of the new cycle of archaeological research promoted by the Archaeological Park of Pompeii in the Sanctuary and Temple of Venus (VIII.1.3), a team from Mount Allison University and the University of Missouri undertook a second and... more
As part of the new cycle of archaeological research promoted by the Archaeological Park of Pompeii in the Sanctuary and Temple of Venus (VIII.1.3), a team from Mount Allison University and the University of Missouri undertook a second and third season of fieldwork in the summers of 2018 and 2019. This report presents the stratigraphic data collected from trenches excavated within the cella, in the open court E of the temple, and in the E wing of the triporticus that surrounded it. The results have allowed us to further define the spatial organization of the area prior to the construction of the monumental sanctuary, first uncovered in 2017, revealing more remains of Samniteera buildings that occupied elongated city blocks which were for-mally developed during the 2nd century BCE and repurposed in the early 1st century BCE, possibly for commercial functions. Based on finds from the obliteration sequence of these features and the surviving architectural decoration, the erection of the temple and triporticus can be securely dated to the late 1st century BCE, thus undermining previous reconstructions that vari-ously assigned the first building phase to the Late Samnite, Sullan or Caesarian periods.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Pompeii (Archaeology), Ancient numismatics (Archaeology), Roman Pottery, Roman numismatics and archaeology, and 9 moreArcheologia, Roman Temples, Coins finds as archaeological artefacts, Pompeii, Samnites, Roman Sanctuaries, Painted Stucco Decoration, Votive Deposit, and Votive offerings
Analisi dei rinvenimenti monetali effettuati durante la campagna di scavo del 2017 nell'area del Tempio di Venere di Pompei
Research Interests: Pompeii and Coin Finds
Under the auspices of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, archaeologists from the University of Missouri-Columbia and Mount Allison University have resumed the study of the Temple and Sanctuary of Venus. The main objective of the newly... more
Under the auspices of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, archaeologists from the University of Missouri-Columbia and Mount Allison University have resumed the study of the Temple and Sanctuary of Venus. The main objective of the newly launched Venus Pompeiana Project (https://www.archaeological.org/interactivedigs/pompeiiitaly/) is to elucidate the date, extent and internal organization of the original cult site, and the nature of the rituals that were conducted therein, detailing the main transformations that occurred in this sector of Pompeii with the transition into the Roman phase. We present the outcomes of the first season of photogrammetric survey and targeted excavation carried out at the site. These activities, which are part of a three-year program, complement previous research with new descriptive and spatial data, aiming to develop best practices for the integrated digital archiving and analysis of old finds and newly excavated data. By reopening a trench first excavated in 2006 by a team from the University of Basilicata in the open court E of the temple podium and expanding it to sample a section of the E portico, new features predating the standing complex have been exposed. Their architecture and stratigraphy demonstrate that in the 2nd c. BCE the area had a different spatial organization, featuring two distinct sectors separated by a narrow alley. Future work on site will further clarify the nature and function of the buildings occupying the two blocks. The finds also confirm the post-80 BCE date of the first triporticus and temple. The initial results have important implications for the broader understanding of the topography of a crucial quadrant of Pompeii facing onto the Via Marina and in direct relationship with the Basilica.
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The aim of this essay is to illustrate how the architecture of the imperial otium villas reflects the change in the concept of imperial power which occurred during the second half of the first century CE. In order to do so, we have to... more
The aim of this essay is to illustrate how the architecture of the imperial otium villas reflects the change in the concept of imperial power which occurred during the second half of the first century CE. In order to do so, we have to start from the concept of otium procul negotiis, elaborated by the Roman aristocracy during the Republican age, which implies an ideal boundary between the political life of the Urbe and the practice of otium. So the ownership of an extra-urban villa, meant as a place of leisure away from political life, became the bedrock of the Roman aristocracy.
As we will see, with the birth of the empire, the ideal boundary between the spheres of otium and negotium became vague and began to break down, because the emperor could not remain outside political life. Therefore social and political procedures, ceremonial events and imperial luxury began to be manifested both on the Palatine and in extra-urban residences, within architectural complexes enriched with innovative, singular elements that reflect this change and the new
concept of otium as an instrument of power.
As we will see, with the birth of the empire, the ideal boundary between the spheres of otium and negotium became vague and began to break down, because the emperor could not remain outside political life. Therefore social and political procedures, ceremonial events and imperial luxury began to be manifested both on the Palatine and in extra-urban residences, within architectural complexes enriched with innovative, singular elements that reflect this change and the new
concept of otium as an instrument of power.
Research Interests: Roman History, Roman Villae, Ancient Greek and Roman Theatre, Roman theaters, Naples, and 13 moreCampanian Archaeology, Roman Architecture, Arqueología romana / Roman archeology, Otium, Roman Villa, Cultural History of Naples and Campania, Posillipo, Roman villas life, Roman Imperial villas, Maritime Villas, Roman fishponds, Roman Archaeology, and Bay of Naples
Even the name, Pausilypon, or “place that puts an end to worries”, today used to refer to the entire Neapolitan hillside, conveys an idea of the pleasantness of the sites and the purpose of the villa. The hillside of Posillipo rises to... more
Even the name, Pausilypon, or “place that puts an end to worries”, today used to refer to the entire Neapolitan hillside, conveys an idea of the pleasantness of the sites and the purpose of the villa. The hillside of Posillipo rises to the west of the ancient city of Neapolis, separating the territory of the city from the Phlegraean Fields. From there it extends toward the sea and, along with the island of Nisida, divides the Gulf of Naples from that of Pozzuoli. The construction of the villa of Pausilypon probably dates to the second half of the 1st century BC, when it belonged to the eques Publius Vedius Pollio. At the time of the equestrian’s defeat in 15 BC, the grandiose villa was given over through inheritance to Augustus. The complex was built as a villa for otium and transformed over the course of the 1st century AD to adapt to the new needs of the Imperial court.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Classical Archaeology, Roman History, Architecture, Roman Villae, and 17 moreRoman Empire, Ancient Greek and Roman Theatre, Emperor Domitian, Roman theaters, Naples, Architecture and power, Roman imperial villas, Hadrianic architecture, Campanian Archaeology, Roman Architecture, Neapolis, Villas Romanas, Ancient Campania, Cultural History of Naples and Campania, Roman Campania, Posillipo, Roman villas life, Roman Imperial villas, and Roman Archaeology
Die Cryptoporticus von Alifae war möglicherweise ein Nebenteil einer luxuriösen Anlage aus augusteischer Zeit. Die Ausgrabung der Cryptoporticus wurde von Prof. F. MARAZZI von der Suor Orsola Benincasa und von Dr. E. ANGELO STANCO... more
Die Cryptoporticus von Alifae war möglicherweise ein Nebenteil einer luxuriösen Anlage aus augusteischer
Zeit. Die Ausgrabung der Cryptoporticus wurde von Prof. F. MARAZZI von der Suor Orsola Benincasa
und von Dr. E. ANGELO STANCO Caserta e Benevento durchgeführt. In den Siedlungsschichten der Cryptoporticus Anzahl von fragmentarisch erhaltener Wandmalerei. Die noch unvollendete Untersuchung der Malereifragmente
hat es bereits ermöglicht, die Gestaltung einiger Decken nachzuvollziehen. Insbesondere hat man die
gesamte Dekoration eines 4 x 4 m großen Raums rekonstruieren können. Es handelt sich um eine Decke, die
mit einem Quadrat dekoriert ist, das von Oktogonen umgeben wird, die wiederum in Hexagone unterteilt
Die kürzlich entdeckten Malereifragmente deuten auf die Präsenz einer luxuriösen domus hin, die möglicherweise
der Senatorenfamilie Aedii oder Granii gehörte.
Zeit. Die Ausgrabung der Cryptoporticus wurde von Prof. F. MARAZZI von der Suor Orsola Benincasa
und von Dr. E. ANGELO STANCO Caserta e Benevento durchgeführt. In den Siedlungsschichten der Cryptoporticus Anzahl von fragmentarisch erhaltener Wandmalerei. Die noch unvollendete Untersuchung der Malereifragmente
hat es bereits ermöglicht, die Gestaltung einiger Decken nachzuvollziehen. Insbesondere hat man die
gesamte Dekoration eines 4 x 4 m großen Raums rekonstruieren können. Es handelt sich um eine Decke, die
mit einem Quadrat dekoriert ist, das von Oktogonen umgeben wird, die wiederum in Hexagone unterteilt
Die kürzlich entdeckten Malereifragmente deuten auf die Präsenz einer luxuriösen domus hin, die möglicherweise
der Senatorenfamilie Aedii oder Granii gehörte.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The research on the decorations of the area of the sanctuary is the result of a field project on the temple of Venus at Pompeii, supervised by Emmanuele Curti, of the “Scuola di Specializzazione in Archeologia di Matera”. The analysis... more
The research on the decorations of the area of the sanctuary is the result of a field project on the temple of Venus at
Pompeii, supervised by Emmanuele Curti, of the “Scuola di Specializzazione in Archeologia di Matera”.
The analysis of the pictorial remains (in situ and from the excavation) has permitted partial reconstruction of two
decorative systems and to recognize at least one more. Such systems are related to the first monumental phase of the
sanctuary of Venus.
Toward the 130/120 B.C., the sacred area was redefined following the new models of ‘Hellenistic’ sanctuaries, in the
context of the renovation of the public areas of Pompeii. The complex is structured with an axial temple surrounded
by porticos and developed over two terraces. A peculiarity of the sanctuary is the presence, on the lower terrace and on
axis with the temple, of a platform (presumably with the altar), delimited on the western side by a court marked by
the presence of canals and, on the eastern side, by a space or room with a cistern. A few decades later this complex was
completely destroyed and obliterated (probably under the Sullan re-foundation).
The decorative schemes are partially restorable and there are unfortunately missing elements that can provide a full
evidence of the decorations, such as the treatment of the angles of the walls, useful to assign the decorations to one of
the ‘Laidlaw types’.
Nevertheless, the single elements of two systems are very similar to decorations found in other Italian and, above all,
Pompeian contexts. The proximity to some Pompeian walls and the ‘attitude of verticality’, typical of the Italic decorations,
allows us to date the decorations of the temple of Venus in the phase in which the so-called Pompeian First
Style has completed its evolution.
In this context we have to insert the exceptional discovery of the ceiling, which reproduces wooden ceiling; it does not
have any parallel in the Pompeian First Style decorative system.
Pompeii, supervised by Emmanuele Curti, of the “Scuola di Specializzazione in Archeologia di Matera”.
The analysis of the pictorial remains (in situ and from the excavation) has permitted partial reconstruction of two
decorative systems and to recognize at least one more. Such systems are related to the first monumental phase of the
sanctuary of Venus.
Toward the 130/120 B.C., the sacred area was redefined following the new models of ‘Hellenistic’ sanctuaries, in the
context of the renovation of the public areas of Pompeii. The complex is structured with an axial temple surrounded
by porticos and developed over two terraces. A peculiarity of the sanctuary is the presence, on the lower terrace and on
axis with the temple, of a platform (presumably with the altar), delimited on the western side by a court marked by
the presence of canals and, on the eastern side, by a space or room with a cistern. A few decades later this complex was
completely destroyed and obliterated (probably under the Sullan re-foundation).
The decorative schemes are partially restorable and there are unfortunately missing elements that can provide a full
evidence of the decorations, such as the treatment of the angles of the walls, useful to assign the decorations to one of
the ‘Laidlaw types’.
Nevertheless, the single elements of two systems are very similar to decorations found in other Italian and, above all,
Pompeian contexts. The proximity to some Pompeian walls and the ‘attitude of verticality’, typical of the Italic decorations,
allows us to date the decorations of the temple of Venus in the phase in which the so-called Pompeian First
Style has completed its evolution.
In this context we have to insert the exceptional discovery of the ceiling, which reproduces wooden ceiling; it does not
have any parallel in the Pompeian First Style decorative system.
Research Interests: Pompeii (Archaeology), Graeco-Roman Mosaics and Wall Paintings, Roman Painting, Pompeii, Campanian Archaeology, and 10 morePompeii and Herculaneum, Roman Art, Roman Campania, Roman Wall Painting, Pompéi, Masonry Style, I stile pompeiano, Pompeian First Style decorative system, Roman Archaeology, and Pittura Ellenistica
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
A new international collaboration, also known as the Venus Pompeiana Project, has been forged between the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, Mount Allison University, and the University of Missouri to resume the study of the imposing... more
A new international collaboration, also known as the Venus Pompeiana Project, has been forged between the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, Mount Allison University, and the University of Missouri to resume the study of the imposing triporticus with axial temple dedicated to the patron goddess of the Roman colony. The main objective of the new endeavor is to bring the existing excavation archives to publication by integrating the reanalysis of legacy data with targeted excavations. Specifically, we aim to reach firmer conclusions on the chronology and nature of the occupation at the site, focusing particularly on the horizon that predates the construction of the first monumental sanctuary.
After a pilot season in 2017, a full-scale excavation was launched in 2018 thanks to generous funding provided by the AIA Cotsen Excavation Grant. Our research design called for the reopening of old trenches previously excavated in the temple court (Trenches IIS and IIN), which had already revealed a sample of the complete sequence of occupation of the open area east of the podium, including direct stratigraphic relationship between its various floors and the foundations of the east colonnade of the sanctuary, and for which part of the original archival data was also available. We resurveyed standing features and exposed stratigraphic sections employing both traditional total station and rich data capture in the form of photogrammetric (image based) modeling, while reanalyzing the existing descriptive record of each unit. Furthermore, we continued the investigations below the levels reached by the previous excavators. The relevant ceramic materials and coins were retrieved from the Soprintendenza storage in order to be restudied, thus complementing the old data with the new finds. In addition, new trenches (Trenches A and B), were opened under the east portico to better define the layout
and clarify the function of architectural features that had been exposed below the monumental phase. The construction sequence of the podium and ancillary structures was also documented, laying the groundwork for future conservation work.
The initial results contribute significantly to the broader debate about the urban development of the so-called Altstadt of Pompeii and the Samnite-to-Roman transition at the site. Most notably, we identified a N–S street running across the entire extent of the east court. The street, which most likely branched off from Via Marina, was certainly in use through the second century B.C.E., separating two distinct city blocks occupied by structures. This layout was completely obliterated in order to make room for the triporticus and temple, for which we confirm the post-80 B.C.E. date, thus demonstrating the impact of the Roman conquest on the religious landscape of Pompeii.
After a pilot season in 2017, a full-scale excavation was launched in 2018 thanks to generous funding provided by the AIA Cotsen Excavation Grant. Our research design called for the reopening of old trenches previously excavated in the temple court (Trenches IIS and IIN), which had already revealed a sample of the complete sequence of occupation of the open area east of the podium, including direct stratigraphic relationship between its various floors and the foundations of the east colonnade of the sanctuary, and for which part of the original archival data was also available. We resurveyed standing features and exposed stratigraphic sections employing both traditional total station and rich data capture in the form of photogrammetric (image based) modeling, while reanalyzing the existing descriptive record of each unit. Furthermore, we continued the investigations below the levels reached by the previous excavators. The relevant ceramic materials and coins were retrieved from the Soprintendenza storage in order to be restudied, thus complementing the old data with the new finds. In addition, new trenches (Trenches A and B), were opened under the east portico to better define the layout
and clarify the function of architectural features that had been exposed below the monumental phase. The construction sequence of the podium and ancillary structures was also documented, laying the groundwork for future conservation work.
The initial results contribute significantly to the broader debate about the urban development of the so-called Altstadt of Pompeii and the Samnite-to-Roman transition at the site. Most notably, we identified a N–S street running across the entire extent of the east court. The street, which most likely branched off from Via Marina, was certainly in use through the second century B.C.E., separating two distinct city blocks occupied by structures. This layout was completely obliterated in order to make room for the triporticus and temple, for which we confirm the post-80 B.C.E. date, thus demonstrating the impact of the Roman conquest on the religious landscape of Pompeii.