- Architecture and power, Roman imperial villas, Hadrianic architecture, Imperial Rome, Topography of Ancient Rome (Archaeology), Roman engineering (archaeology), Pompeii (Archaeology), Archaeology of Mediterranean Trade, and 15 moreHistory of Construction, Concrete, Roman Wall Painting, Roman gardens, Urbanism (Archaeology), Roman engineering, Archaeology of Buildings, Villa Adriana, Roman Architecture, Roman Villae, Ostia (Archaeology), Roman architectural ornament, Opus Doliare, Archaeology, and Classical Archaeologyedit
- I am interested in the architecture of Roman imperial and elite residences and am working at the ERC funded project R... moreI am interested in the architecture of Roman imperial and elite residences and am working at the ERC funded project Rome Transformed that will look at the transformation of the Eastern Caelian in C1-8 CE, a region with strong imperial connotation, that attracted huge investments during the Severan and the Constantinian periodsedit
Non-Intrusive Methodologies for Large Area Urban Research brings together contributions from a conference held in 2021 in association with the ERC-funded ‘Rome Transformed’ research project. The papers address a major challenge in... more
Non-Intrusive Methodologies for Large Area Urban Research brings together contributions from a conference held in 2021 in association with the ERC-funded ‘Rome Transformed’ research project. The papers address a major challenge in archaeology. Non-intrusive research in pursuit of a deeper understanding of urban areas can be both richly informative and cost-effective. Multiple successes in the field have led to an impressive array of innovative methodologies, methodologies that are frequently combined for still greater insight and impact. Geophysical surveys, the use of UAVs, the study of exposed historic structures and the exhaustive examination of archival records can all play a vital role, and the development of these data capture methodologies is of the utmost importance for the future of research. As well as advances in data capture methodologies, however, the papers also present case studies in the management of the big data generated and in the integration of different methodologies. A further strength of this collection lies in the range of site types considered. While many projects have historically pursued non-intrusive research in areas relatively clear of modern buildings, a growing number of research initiatives, such as ‘Rome Transformed’ are seeking to advance them in areas which remain densely occupied. Accordingly the material presented here will also be of interest to non-archaeologists working in such diverse fields as civil engineering, urban planning and physical geography.
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The chapter brings together literary and archaeological evidence to discuss the ideas underpinning Roman collecting practices, suggesting how notions about exclusivity and exclusive access to collectables may have played a significant... more
The chapter brings together literary and archaeological evidence to discuss the ideas underpinning Roman collecting practices, suggesting how notions about exclusivity and exclusive access to collectables may have played a significant role in defining the way artworks were collected and displayed in public and in private settings from the 2nd century BCE to the 4th century CE. In doing so, it provides a new framework within which the collection and display of Christian relics by Late Antique emperors and religious elites can be seen and evaluated.
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Sculptures played an important role as decoration of private residences in Roman times. Subjects, themes, styles and even dimensions changed over time not just according to the aesthetic values of the Roman patrons, but also in relation... more
Sculptures played an important role as decoration of private residences in Roman times. Subjects, themes, styles and even dimensions changed over time not just according to the aesthetic values of the Roman patrons, but also in relation to ideas of identity and status. Hadrian’s villa offers an excellent case for the study of ancient perception and display of sculptures within their architectural context. About five hundreds sculptures are said to come from this imperial estate, but until now it has been hardly possible to reconstruct their original setting within the general layout of the villa. By looking at the way sculptures were displayed, I will focus on three major notions that informed the planning of the villa’s sculptural decoration: aesthetic values, control over people’s behaviour, and the establishment of hierarchies within the diverse range of people that attended the emperor’s palace.
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The paper aims at reconstructing some of the notions underpinning the planning of niches and masonry plinths in Roman imperial residences, focusing in particular on Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli (Rome). By looking at the way niches were... more
The paper aims at reconstructing some of the notions underpinning the planning of niches and masonry plinths in Roman imperial residences, focusing in particular on Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli (Rome). By looking at the way niches were arranged, it suggests that well-defined aesthetic criteria promoted the planning of niches in order to generate powerful correlations between sculptures, water and the architectural setting. The examination of the design of the Villa reveals that the arrangement of niches did not just reflect the emperor’s tastes and ideas, but was planned to affect and shape the way visitors moved within its spaces.
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The paper discusses the results of the work of recording, analysis and modelling of the Roman nymphaeum discovered in the underground spaces of Corsia Mazzoni, in the Ospedale di San Giovanni, in Rome. The work is an integral part of a... more
The paper discusses the results of the work of recording, analysis and modelling of the Roman nymphaeum discovered in the underground spaces of Corsia Mazzoni, in the Ospedale di San Giovanni, in Rome. The work is an integral part of a larger project of archaeological analysis, survey and 3D modelling of the architectural structures of the Roman era still visible in the area of the Ospedale di San Giovanni and the Scuola delle Infermiere, conducted jointly by the Universities of Newcastle and Florence. The project focused on four archaeological areas: the spaces below the current Mazzoni ward, below the courtyard to the south of the Folchi ward, in the area of the so-called Horti di Domitia Lucilla in the Ospedale Nuovo and the scavi under the Scuolq delle Infermiere. After the initial data capture phase, the research is now focussing on the study and processing of the data and in the development of 3D models of some of the structures. This contribution examines a structure that has been little known and poorly documented so far, a nymphaeum published by Colini in 1944 and never properly documented. We suggest a more refined chronology and a new orientation of the structure and we present two models of the building, advancing some hypotheses on the development of its elevation and original decoration.
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Research project carried out by the Museum of Crema on the collection of thirteen logboats found in the rivers Adda, Oglio and Po.
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The paper provides a first investigation on the Roman amphorae found during the excavation of the area of Piazza Marconi, at Cremona, Northern Italy (C2 BC-4AD)
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The paper provides a presentation of the archaeological finds emerged during the emergency excavation carried out in the city of Cremona in 1980.
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The paper investigates the trade relationships between the Roman colony of Cremona and the Eastern Mediterranean
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The paper provides an attempt to evaluate the impact of Roman trade on the vicus of Bedriacum between C 2BC and AD4 C.
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... Il caso delle anfore di forma Richborough 527 e di un vetro del Gruppo di Linceo. Autores: Daniela Benedetti, Thea Ravasi; Localización: Acme : annali della Facoltà di lettere e filosofia dell'Università degli studi di... more
... Il caso delle anfore di forma Richborough 527 e di un vetro del Gruppo di Linceo. Autores: Daniela Benedetti, Thea Ravasi; Localización: Acme : annali della Facoltà di lettere e filosofia dell'Università degli studi di Milano, ISSN 0001-494X, Vol. 56, Nº 2, 2003 , pags. 5-50. ...
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Research Interests: Economic History, Classical Archaeology, Classics, Roman Pottery, Greek and Roman History, and 4 moreColonization studies, Roman Amphorae, Archaeology, Classical archaeology, Greek and Roman history, Greek Colonization (Magna Graecia and Sicily), Material Culture Studies, Funerary Archaeology, and Maritime Studies
The paper provides a detailed investigation on the first occupation and building phases of the so called Domus del Labirinto (C 1BC) at the Roman site of Bedriacum (Calvatone), in Northern Italy.
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Conservation project carried out by the Museum of Crema and the Regional Heritage Board of Lombardy. The project aimed to the restoration and display of the museum's impressive collection of logboats, dating from the Bronze Age to the... more
Conservation project carried out by the Museum of Crema and the Regional Heritage Board of Lombardy. The project aimed to the restoration and display of the museum's impressive collection of logboats, dating from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages.
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The paper aims to present the educational project carried out at the Museum of Crema and based on Kolbe's theories.
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How can we undertake multidisciplinary research in large, archaeologically complex and intensely urbanised settings in an effective way? How can we successfully manage the acquisition, processing, and integration of BIG data derived from... more
How can we undertake multidisciplinary research in large, archaeologically complex and intensely urbanised settings in an effective way? How can we successfully manage the acquisition, processing, and integration of BIG data derived from multiple research methodologies? Finally, how can we offer the scientific community a transparent, open access and multivocal process of data discussion and interpretation on urban scale projects? Started in October 2019, the ERC-funded Rome Transformed project aims at understanding the transformation of South Eastern Rome in 1-8 centuries CE. The project develops multidisciplinary research on a scale and complexity never attempted before on ancient and early medieval Rome, bringing together data derived from the recording (3D scanning, SFM, photogrammetry) and the archaeological reassessment of historical excavations, archival research, geophysical survey (single and multi-antenna GPR, ERT) and borehole analysis, covering a surface of 69 hectares. This conference aims to review these methods and their results as part of an inter-disciplinary debate on approaches to non-intrusive methodologies, to studying and safeguarding the historic environment, to advancing research into urban development, and to blending and integrating different streams of data as part of large area projects. We welcome papers that examine innovative methodologies for large bodies of data capture, integration and dissemination in complex, large scale urban settings and that discuss projects in an advanced state or at a reasonable level of completion.
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<b>Expanded Interiors: Bringing contemporary site-specific fine-art practice to Roman houses in Herculaneum and Pompeii: </b><i>Expanded Interiors</i> is an interdisciplinary, practice-led Fine Art and Archaeology... more
<b>Expanded Interiors: Bringing contemporary site-specific fine-art practice to Roman houses in Herculaneum and Pompeii: </b><i>Expanded Interiors</i> is an interdisciplinary, practice-led Fine Art and Archaeology Research Project, initiated by visual artist Catrin Huber and led by Newcastle University (with support from Newcastle Institute of Creative Arts Practice) working in partnership with Parco Archeologico di Pompeii, Parco Archeologico di Ercolano, the Herculaneum Conservation Project and Art Editions North. The project was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. The <i>Expanded Interiors</i> team included: Professor in Fine Art Catrin Huber (Principal Investigator), Professor in Archaeology Ian Haynes (Co-Investigator), Rosie Morris (Research Associate in Fine Art), Dr. Thea Ravasi (Research Associate in Archaeology), and Alex Turner (Digital Technology Expert). <i>Expanded Interiors</i> set out to investigate how contemporary painting practice can provide new perspectives on the spatial configurations of ancient Roman homes and their artefacts, and how in turn Roman wall paintings can inform and enhance contemporary site-specific fine-art installations. We were also interested in exploring how these investigations might stimulate new ways of displaying Roman artefacts (or, rather, their replicas), while allowing for creative exploration of these replicas. This two-year project (May 2017 – December 2019) responded to and investigated through artistic, digital, and archaeological research the specific nature of the buildings and wall paintings from two Roman houses: the House of the Beautiful Courtyard (Casa del Bel Cortile) in Herculaneum and the House of the Cryptoporticus (Casa del Criptoportico) in Pompeii. It also explored their respective sites, contexts and histories. We gained new insights into the sophisticated means of the Roman painters and in how tailored painters responded to the specifics of an architectural setting, while responding to public and private space and social, econom [...]
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... Il caso delle anfore di forma Richborough 527 e di un vetro del Gruppo di Linceo. Autores: Daniela Benedetti, Thea Ravasi; Localización: Acme : annali della Facoltà di lettere e filosofia dell&#x27;Università degli studi di... more
... Il caso delle anfore di forma Richborough 527 e di un vetro del Gruppo di Linceo. Autores: Daniela Benedetti, Thea Ravasi; Localización: Acme : annali della Facoltà di lettere e filosofia dell&#x27;Università degli studi di Milano, ISSN 0001-494X, Vol. 56, Nº 2, 2003 , pags. 5-50. ...
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... Il caso delle anfore di forma Richborough 527 e di un vetro del Gruppo di Linceo. Autores: Daniela Benedetti, Thea Ravasi; Localización: Acme : annali della Facoltà di lettere e filosofia dell&#x27;Università degli studi di... more
... Il caso delle anfore di forma Richborough 527 e di un vetro del Gruppo di Linceo. Autores: Daniela Benedetti, Thea Ravasi; Localización: Acme : annali della Facoltà di lettere e filosofia dell&#x27;Università degli studi di Milano, ISSN 0001-494X, Vol. 56, Nº 2, 2003 , pags. 5-50. ...
Sculptures played an essential role in the Roman world as powerful expressions of culture, identity and status. Ideas about beauty and appropriateness influenced not just subjects, styles and dimensions of statues but also their placement... more
Sculptures played an essential role in the Roman world as powerful expressions of culture, identity and status. Ideas about beauty and appropriateness influenced not just subjects, styles and dimensions of statues but also their placement in public and private spaces. Being movable objects, however, sculptures could be easily relocated, thus hindering our understanding of the notions that underpinned the original design of their arrangement.
During the Empire increasing emphasis was placed on sculptures as part of complex architectural settings, and the arrangement of statues within niches became an integral part of the planning of a building. This attitude permeated the design of imperial residences, and hence spread over Italian and provincial elite houses and villas. Therefore, by looking at the planning of niches in Roman residences, we can hope to reconstruct the principles that influenced the way architects and patrons wanted their sculptures to be seen and appreciated within their architectural setting.
The paper aims at reconstructing the notions underpinning the planning of niches and masonry plinths in Roman imperial residences, focusing in particular on Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli (Rome). By looking at the way niches were arranged, it suggests that well-defined criteria promoted the planning of niches in order to generate powerful correlations between sculptures and their architectural setting. The examination of the design of the Villa reveals that the arrangement of niches did not just reflect the emperor’s tastes and ideas, but was planned to affect and shape the way visitors moved within its spaces, responding to notions of aesthetics and control over people’s behaviors.
By assessing the role of niches as powerful devices for the expression of the relationship between the emperor and his guests, the paper offers novel insights into imperial influences over the development of elite residential architecture in the Roman provinces.
During the Empire increasing emphasis was placed on sculptures as part of complex architectural settings, and the arrangement of statues within niches became an integral part of the planning of a building. This attitude permeated the design of imperial residences, and hence spread over Italian and provincial elite houses and villas. Therefore, by looking at the planning of niches in Roman residences, we can hope to reconstruct the principles that influenced the way architects and patrons wanted their sculptures to be seen and appreciated within their architectural setting.
The paper aims at reconstructing the notions underpinning the planning of niches and masonry plinths in Roman imperial residences, focusing in particular on Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli (Rome). By looking at the way niches were arranged, it suggests that well-defined criteria promoted the planning of niches in order to generate powerful correlations between sculptures and their architectural setting. The examination of the design of the Villa reveals that the arrangement of niches did not just reflect the emperor’s tastes and ideas, but was planned to affect and shape the way visitors moved within its spaces, responding to notions of aesthetics and control over people’s behaviors.
By assessing the role of niches as powerful devices for the expression of the relationship between the emperor and his guests, the paper offers novel insights into imperial influences over the development of elite residential architecture in the Roman provinces.
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"Romae instauravit Pantheum, Saepta, Basilicam Neptuni, sacras aedes plurimas, Forum Augusti, Lavacrum Agrippae; eaque omnia propriis auctorum nominibus consecravit (H.A., Hadr. I9): Hadrian famously promoted the restoration and the... more
"Romae instauravit Pantheum, Saepta, Basilicam Neptuni, sacras aedes plurimas, Forum Augusti, Lavacrum Agrippae; eaque omnia propriis auctorum nominibus consecravit (H.A., Hadr. I9): Hadrian famously promoted the restoration and the reconstruction of a number of public buildings of the Augustan era with the intention of adding himself to the list of lawful and legitimate successors of the princeps. If Hadrian’s policy towards public architecture of the Augustan era has been broadly investigated, Hadrian’s reception of ideas expressed on the Palatine by Augustus into the relatively more private setting of Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli has never been fully explored.
Stemming from the recent re-assessment of the architectural layout of the House of Augustus on the Palatine (Iacopi and Tedone 2006) and subsequent debate (Carandini and Bruno 2008, Wiseman 2009), this paper will look at how ideas about the architectural planning, the decoration, and the sculptural display of the House of Augustus on the Palatine were translated into the architectural language of Hadrian’s Villa. In particular, the paper will explore the complex relationship between architectural planning, sculptural display and the social world of the Roman court, with particular reference to the nature of the relationship between the emperor and his subjects. Moreover, the paper will look at how subjects employed in the Augustan era for the decoration of public buildings (e.g. the Caryatids) were re-interpreted in the relatively more private setting of Hadrian’s Villa.
Carandini A. and D. Bruno 2008, La Casa di Augusto dai Lupercalia al Natale, Laterza: Rome-Bari.
Iacopi I. and G. Tedone 2006, ‘Bibliotheca e Porticus ad Apollinis’, Röm. Mitt. 112 (2005/6): 351–78
Wiseman T.P. 2009, ‘The house of Augustus and the Lupercal’, JRA 22: 527–45"
Stemming from the recent re-assessment of the architectural layout of the House of Augustus on the Palatine (Iacopi and Tedone 2006) and subsequent debate (Carandini and Bruno 2008, Wiseman 2009), this paper will look at how ideas about the architectural planning, the decoration, and the sculptural display of the House of Augustus on the Palatine were translated into the architectural language of Hadrian’s Villa. In particular, the paper will explore the complex relationship between architectural planning, sculptural display and the social world of the Roman court, with particular reference to the nature of the relationship between the emperor and his subjects. Moreover, the paper will look at how subjects employed in the Augustan era for the decoration of public buildings (e.g. the Caryatids) were re-interpreted in the relatively more private setting of Hadrian’s Villa.
Carandini A. and D. Bruno 2008, La Casa di Augusto dai Lupercalia al Natale, Laterza: Rome-Bari.
Iacopi I. and G. Tedone 2006, ‘Bibliotheca e Porticus ad Apollinis’, Röm. Mitt. 112 (2005/6): 351–78
Wiseman T.P. 2009, ‘The house of Augustus and the Lupercal’, JRA 22: 527–45"
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This colloquium aims to explore new methodological approaches to the study of Roman hydrological systems. How can we study these systems most effectively across urban and extra-urban areas? How may we situate the different structural... more
This colloquium aims to explore new methodological approaches to the study of Roman hydrological systems. How can we study these systems most effectively across urban and extra-urban areas? How may we situate the different structural elements that facilitated water supply in their wider social, architectural and landscape contexts?