Researchers have discovered an antique Roman mosaic that formerly adorned the residence of the dreadful tyrant Publius Vedius Pollio at a luxurious coastal mansion in Posillipo, close to Naples. Legend has it that Pollio, who is remembered for his heinous treatment of slaves, even fed his workers parasitic worms.
Pauslypon, which translates to "respite from concern," is a posh residential area in the Naples hills. Ancient Greek and Roman texts claim that wealthy Roman families during the Roman era were drawn to the coastline of Campania, much as today's residents of Los Angeles are drawn to beachside houses along the coast of Malibu.
The 770-meter (2526-foot)-long "Grotta Seiano" tunnel, which was initially dug during the Roman era, is the only way to get to Posillipo. A collection of historic Roman buildings facing the sea make up the Pausilypon Archaeological-Environmental Park, which is based on Vedius Pollio's main mansion, one of history's most dreadful dictators. Researchers discovered a unique mosaic floor from the villa's initial building at this old villa.
This location, also referred to as the Imperial Villa, is located on a rocky promontory at the far end of the Bay of Naples. An Odeon offered smaller performances and also a 2000-seat mega-theatre for major nights. Moreover, a bath complex and a Nymphaeum shrine dedicated to water nymphs made sure that the city's privileged citizens and visitors enjoyed the pinnacle of luxury.
In a recent news release, archaeologists from the University of Naples L'Orientale stated that the mosaic was found in a living room with a view of the sea in Naples. "Tiny white pieces of tesserae with a double black framing" were used to create the floor covering. The term "tesserae" refers to any tiny piece of stone, glass, or ceramic in ancient Roman mosaic art.
The mosaic's excavation was overseen by Professor Marco Giglio of the L'Orientale University of Naples, who noted that while stratigraphic dating was impossible, the mosaic's design suggested that it may have originated during "the late Republican age or Augustan at the latest." The relic may not be outstanding, but its setting is arguably of the utmost significance.
The mosaic is thought to have been buried beneath remodeling projects that Emperor Augustus ordered following Vedius's passing. We must first study a little about the dreadful deeds of Publius Vedius Pollio in order to comprehend why a Roman emperor spent money at a soldier's opulent resort.
According to an article in Heritage Daily, Pollio became well-known in the first century BC not only for his opulent tastes but also for his "cruelty to slaves." The fact that this affluent Roman cavalier was born into a family of freed slaves makes Pollio's horrendous treatment of his fellow humans, in this case slaves, all the more repulsive.
Hearing about the details of his particularly heinous treatment of slaves makes Pollio seem to have been a traitor of the highest and most vile sort. Yet Pollio wasn't only interested in "regular" torture; according to history, he also had a fetish for intense agony and horror.
The incident that occurred when Augustus himself visited the opulent mansion in the Bay of Naples is arguably the most illustrative of Pollio's diabolical methods. A slave carrying a cup stumbled while serving dinner and broke a crystal glass. Pollio ordered the man to be thrown into a well with parasitic lamprey worms as punishment for his small infraction. But this time, the slave begged Augustus for pity.
The emperor gave the order to destroy all of Publius Vedius Pollio's most valuable glasses because he was so dissatisfied with how Pollio had assessed and treated the slave. Furthermore, he gave the order to fill the eel pool.
Vedius Pollio was so ashamed of himself that he left Augustus his entire fortune in 15 BC when he passed away. All Roman emperors up until Hadrian in 138 AD had control over it as an imperial possession. So, the mosaic provides yet another window into the extravagant wealth of a very repulsive man who fed parasitic human beings.
