7/22/2019 Tiberius Villa Iovis
1/3
Tiberius Villa Iovis on Capri
This villa, one of 21 built by the emperor Tiberius on the
island of Capri, was completed in 27AD. It
was located on the so called Monte Tiberio, one of the highest
peaks of Capri, at the northeast ofthe island, at an elevation of
334m. The villa faces out east to sea at the top of a sheer cliff.
The
height and secluded location makes this place not easily
accessible, but easily defensible; for this
reason Tiberius, fearful about assassinations and conspiracy in
Rome ruled from here until his death
in 37AD. The location of the villa also affords a beautiful,
panoramic view over the ocean and the
entire Gulf of Naples, from the multi-layered complex,
particularly from the open walled hall,
ambulatio, on the west of the building. Therefore the
architecture reflects the royal grandeur we
might expect of an emperor, and although the rumours of
debaucheries which took place here as
detailed by Suetonius are sensationalized, we can see how the
luxurious setting of the palatial
complex might give way to scandalous stories.
The south wing of the complex houses baths with large windows to
let in sunlight, a luxurious and
relaxing pastime, although in this context only for private
pleasure than the political manoeuvring
which took place in the public sphere at Roman bathhouses. It
makes a statement about Tiberius
that he is in a position above such politics, as emperor, and
that he has the wealth (the power it
allows) to afford the baths. The baths are watered by a complex
drainage system of cisterns, four
large vaulted arches which collected rainwater, which also
provided drinking water and water for the
3000m2 gardens. The fact that Tiberius was able to have such a
feat engineered is testament to his
status and power.
The kitchen at the west is conveniently located near the water
supply, as well as ensuring smellskept away from the living areas,
instead the sea breeze instead blowing them away from the villa
to
the west. An observatory, specularium, is also in the west side
of the complex, to support the
emperors interest in astronomy. The imperial loggia was the
residential part of the complex and is
removed from the central cistern area, perhaps showing the
deliberate isolation of that part from
the more official and public areas of the hall and ambulatio in
the east.
Although the Villa Iovis is isolated, the people who would be
allowed to see and visit the place would
immediately be struck with awe at the size and magnificence of
the house and its lush gardens, as
well as its staggering location. Clearly, although away from
Rome, Tiberius still wished to convey his
status as emperor through the architecture of his seat of power
and its immediate visual effect.
![The$Roman$World:$Lecture$18$ Bad$Emperors:$Claudius$and$Nero$ · 2013-09-26 · TheJulio* Claudians$ $$$Augustus $ $= $ $$$$$Livia$$ $$$$$Julia[=Tiberius] $$$$$ $Drusus $$$$$Tiberius$](https://img.dokumen.tips/doc/110x75/5e484b13839f581e14053af0/theromanworldlecture18-bademperorsclaudiusandnero-2013-09-26-thejulio.jpg)
