VILLA OF PAPYRI
A reconstruction of Piso’s 1st-centruy-BC palatial villa at Herculaneum (above) and the excavation (left). The colonnade with sweeping views of the Bay of Naples was 250 yards long. Sadly, the sea has receded by a few hundred yards. Many rich Romans chose relax in this seaside resort. Piso was Julius Caesar’s father-in-law. His philosopher in residence, Philodemus, who was Virgil’s tutor, gave a high tone to discussions with distinguished guests. John Paul Getty was fascinated by this building and based his Malibu art gallery on it.
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