HADRIAN’S VILLA
Date:118-134AD
How do we know this? Brick stamps found on site give two phases of construction 118-125 and 125-134AD
Area: 1.5 sq km
Materials: Brick-faced concrete, covered with stucco
Location: Countryside near Tivoli.
Built for: The Emperor Hadrian’s personal use
The Academy (Guestrooms)Named after a district in Athens (associated with philosophy).
Piazza D’Oro (a large courtyard / peristyle with a pool in the center, surrounded by gardens and a double colonnade)Named in modern times. Also known as the “Golden Court” because of the many wonderful things found here in ancient times or because of the yellow / golden toned mosaics.
Maritime Theatre (Hadrian’s private rooms)This place was named in modern times because it is a circular island surrounded by a moat and entered by a draw bridge.
Poikile (a long courtyard with a pool in the middle and surrounding portico)Named after the Stoa Poikile (painted porch) a place in the agora (marketplace) in Athens. Associated with philosophy.Portico = a row of columns connected by a vaulted roof to a wall
Canopus (Outdoor pool area with a ‘sun-room’ at the end) Named after an island in the delta of the river Nile in Egypt. Famous for its sanctuary of the god Serapis (god of underworld). The Serapeum / nympaeum at the end of the pool is named after this god.Nympaeum = a man-made grotto (cave) with fountains
Vale of Tempe (A park / garden) Named after a place in Thessaly, Greece.
The Canopus
Serapeum: a semicircular area consisting of a dining area with a half ‘pumpkin’ dome and a nymphaeum (water feature) with niches holding statues or fountains.
Canopus: A body of water based on the Nile River in a canal shape between two hills, with a colonnade on three sides.
Piazza D’OroPumpkin- domed entrance way
Colonnaded Courtyard
Large Octagonal Hall with domed roof and small oculus
Nymphaeum
Poikile
Maritime Theatre
Colonnaded Walkway
Central Courtyard
BedroomsDrawbridges
Dining Room
Baths Entrance way
Egyptian Features
• The names of parts of the Villa eg. Canopus and Serapeum – taken from places he had visited.
• Use of materials eg. Egyptian granite in the courtyard of Piazza d’Oro
• The statues eg. The crocodile next to the Canopus.
Greek Features• The names of parts of the
Villa eg. Poikile – Taken from places he has visited.
• The use of the Greek architectural order eg. A colonnade of Ionic columns in the Maritime Theatre.
• Copies of Greek statues eg. Caryatids – adapted from those seen on the Erechtheion on the Acropolis in Athens.
• Influence from Greek painting on the Mosaics decorating the Villa eg. The Lion Mosaic and The Goat Mosaic.
Roman /Hadrianic Features
• The use of arch and vault.• The types of buildings eg.
Baths.• Brickfaced concrete
covered in stucco.• Idea of a country
residence.• The decoration with
mosaics.
• Domes with central holes for light like that of the Pantheon in various shapes eg. Pumpkin dome.
• Emphasis on curve.• Incorporation of water in
the architectural plan.• Fondness for
polychrome mosaics.• The number of copies of
Greek statues.