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Contents
Ancient Roman paper palace: Exploring the Villa of the Papyri in Herculaneum
Herculaneum TicketsVilla of the Papyri
Quick facts | Villa of the Papyri
- Official name: Villa of the Papyri / Villa dei Papyri
- Location: Herculaneum, Naples, Italy
- Date of opening: Possibly 1st century AD; rediscovered circa 1750
- Architectural style: Roman architecture
- Collection size: Contained over 1,100 papyrus scrolls, bronze statues, frescoes and other artifacts
- Function: Ancient Roman villa served as a center for art, literature and philosophy. It also housed a private library of papyrus scrolls.
Excavated parts of the Villa of the Papyri
While the following the structures are parts of the villa that have been excavated, a vast portion of this residence still remains buried.
The garden
The garden surrounds the villa and is enclosed by porticoes. There are several vineyards and vegetable gardens leading to the harbor. These gardens also included numerous statues and busts.
The atrium
In ancient Roman (and even modern) architecture, the atrium is a sunlight open area that’s surrounded by a building. The atrium in Herculaneum worked as the entrance to the villa and connected the various parts of the house. Around 11 statues line the atrium, depicting Satyrs pouring water. Many other statues and busts also line the atrium walls.
The peristyle
The peristyle in Herculaneum, another open air structure, is flanked by 10 columns on each side with a long pool in the middle. After the tablinum (a reception area that opens out to another peristyle in the rear) is a second peristyle.
Villa of the Papyri: Highlights
Sculptures
Precious marble and bronze sculptures (roughly 24 and 63 respectively) were found within the villa. Many of them are now in the National Archeological Museum of Naples, or the Getty Museum in Malibu. Notable statues include a seated Hermes in contemplation and a controversial one of Pan copulating with a goat.
Busts
Bronze busts of various scholars were found across the Villa. Popular figures included Epicurus himself, his favorite pupil Hemarchus and more. The bust of the flying piglet captured symbolic attention as it denoted pursuing pleasure without guilt. There was also a sundial in the shape of a ham.
Herculaneum scrolls
Around 1100 carbonized papyrus scrolls, preserved by Vesuvius' eruption, were found in this site. These relics now offer glimpses into ancient Epicurean treatises. Initial attempts to decode the scrolls ended up destroying them as they were sliced through the middle. Now, with computerized tomography (CT), the scrolls are slowly being deciphered.
Frescoes and mosaics
Numerous frescoes (which are now housed in the Archeological Museum of Naples) showcase architectural themes, animals, etc. Most of the frescoes are monochromatic in reds, yellows and oranges. Popular ones include the frescoes of deer and ducks, Cupid, and a fresco of silver vessels.
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Bronze statues
One of the main attractions found in the peristyle of the villa are the bronze statues. Of note are the two statues titled the ‘runners’, poised to sprint. The figure of the drunken satyr used as a fountain ornament was also found in the peristyle. Bronze Silens (companions of Bacchus) leaning on panthers and wineskins that dispensed water were found in the atrium.
Recent discoveries
Excavation of the Villa of the Papyri halted in 1764 and recommenced in the 1990s, revealing the atrium, lower levels, a seaside pavilion, vibrant mosaic floors, stuccoed ceilings and frescoed walls. Among the discoveries were furniture with ivory accents and additional marble statues, such as one depicting Demeter and an Amazon.
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Frequently asked questions about Herculaneum's Villa of the Papyri
How was the Villa of the Papyri discovered?
In the 1750s, diggers near the site stumbled upon the polychromatic marble flooring that was part of the Villa of the Papyri. Under the aegis of Karl Weber, tunnels were dug into the villa’s depths to further explore it. Although Weber’s superiors were more interested in pillaging the finds from the villa, Weber carefully drew a floorplan of the villa, documenting where each object was found and generally laying out the map of the building.
Is entry to the Villa of the Papyri included with Herculaneum tickets?
Yes, a visit to the villa is included in your Herculaneum entry ticket. However, this attraction is currently closed due to restoration efforts.
Why is the Villa of the Papyri so acclaimed among the Herculaneum ruins?
You’re right to wonder what the hype behind the Villa of the Papyri is all about. For starters, the Villa of the Papyri was not an ordinary luxurious country house. Reminiscent of Hellenistic palaces, the villa could only belong to the uppermost echelons of Roman aristocracy. It derives its name from the nearly 1100-odd papyrus scrolls that were carbonized by the eruption — and efforts to decipher them have yielded intriguing insights into Epicurean philosophy and thought. Experts believe that a full understanding of these texts would shed light on the intellectual and cultural milieu of the time, changing the way we think about ancient Roman life. Besides this, it also had rare collections of precious artifacts including statues, sculptures and frescoes that are now housed either at the Getty Museum in Malibu or the National Archeological Museum of Naples.
Where were these papyrus scrolls found?
Inside the villa, the scrolls were found inside a room that resembled a library. They were found in black casings on shelves and open cabinets.
Is the Villa of the Papyri located among the main Herculaneum ruins?
The villa is situated about 150 yards away from the main Herculaneum ruins, and runs parallel to the coastline.
Besides the famed Herculaneum scrolls, what are the other highlights of the Villa?
While the Villa is known for the papyrus scrolls found in its library, it also hosted an impressive collection of bronze statues and marble sculptures, frescoes, furniture, etc.
Where can one learn more about the Villa of the Papyri?
Visiting the Getty Museum in Malibu is a great option as it is modeled on the floorplan of the actual Villa of the Papyri. Visitors can get a feel of what the interiors looked like, replete with the atrium, peristyle and tablinum. It also houses a significant collection of artworks rescued from the original villa.
