Roman Baths & Villas

The Romans were renowned for their sophisticated and luxurious lifestyle, and nowhere was this more evident than in their baths and villas. These lavish and sprawling complexes were not only places of relaxation and entertainment but also centers of social and cultural life. Take a tour of some of the most impressive and opulent Roman baths and villas, exploring their architecture, decoration, and cultural significance.

Helen and Paris fresco, indicated in a Greek inscription placed between the two figures with his other name ‘Alexandros’. Source: Archaeological Park of Pompeii

12 April, 2024 - 00:53 ancient-origins

Spectacular New Frescoes Uncovered in Pompeii

A spectacular banqueting room with elegant black walls, decorated with mythological characters and subjects inspired by the Trojan War, is one of the rooms recently brought to light during the...

Left: The tiny votive axes were probably utilized within an ancient ceremonial practice. Right: Rolled up lead Roman curse tablets found at the site. Source: Red River Archaeology Group

2 April, 2024 - 17:47 Sahir

Remarkable Roman Villa Unearthed from a Bronze Age Site in England

A Bronze Age site in England, housing a ‘richly decorated Roman villa’ from a later period, has revealed a bounty of artifacts and architectural evidence, which includes aisled buildings adorned with...

Mosaics uncovered in a recently discovered domus, or luxury home, near the Colosseum. Source: Italian Ministry of Culture

13 December, 2023 - 18:00 Sahir

Impressive Domus From the Roman Republic Uncovered Near the Colosseum

A Roman ‘domus’ with several floors, constructed in multiple phases during Rome's Republican age, has been uncovered in the vicinity of Rome's Palatine Hill and the Forum. This finely decorated Roman...

Extensive floor mosaics uncovered at the site at İncesu, Cappadocia. Source: Kayseri Municipality

14 November, 2023 - 18:00 Sahir

Vast and Mesmerizing Floor Mosaic Unearthed in Cappadocian Villa

A floor mosaic covering a whopping area of 600 square meters has been uncovered during excavations in Cappadocia, in the heart of Turkey. Ongoing excavations at the site, believed to be the remnants...

The Roman sandal in situ, discovered in Lugo de Llanera, Asturias. Source: Esperanza Martin/Astures

20 October, 2023 - 19:02 Sahir

Unique 2,000-Year-Old Sandal Found In A Roman Well In Spain

A collection of artifacts, including a unique Roman sandal thought to have been lost by a well-cleaner 2,000-years-ago, has been uncovered at an ancient Roman settlement called Lucus Asturum in...

Electoral inscriptions have been found in an ancient house at Pompeii, which was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Source: Pompeii Sites

3 October, 2023 - 18:54 Sahir

Electoral Inscriptions Found in Pompeii Suggest Indoor Political Campaigning

Mount Vesuvius truly keeps on giving, historically speaking. A fresh round of excavations have revealed political graffiti and a fascinating array of election inscriptions along the Via de Nola, one...

2nd century mosaic of a winged medusa head found in Roman-era house in Spain. (Image credit: Mérida City Hall)

5 August, 2023 - 18:56 ashley cowie

Rare Winged Medusa Mosaic Found in Ancient Roman Villa in Spain

Archaeologists excavating a lush Roman-era house in western Spain have uncovered a huge 1,800-year-old colourful mosaic featuring the head of a ‘winged’ Medusa. The Medusa mosaic was discovered at...

A Roman legion. Source: mehaniq41 / Adobe Stock.

16 July, 2023 - 18:33 Aleksa Vučković

A Brief History of Roman Britain: A Land Transformed

For the Romans, ancient Britain was the final frontier. Situated at the edge of the known world at the time, it was a symbol for the ultimate expansion of the Roman Empire. Conquering it meant...

Two Roman statue heads found at Carlisle Cricket Club Roman site. Source: Geraldine Moore/Cumberland Council

25 May, 2023 - 19:02 Sahir

Carlisle Cricket Club Bathhouse Site Reveals Colossal Roman Sculptures of Imperial Class

The site of a Roman bathhouse or mansion, the ruins at Carlisle Cricket Club have revealed more in the latest round of excavations – two exquisitely preserved head sculptures depicting Roman gods,...

Roman legionary Source: serpeblu / Adobe Stock

14 June, 2020 - 22:58 Ed Whelan

Kings Weston Roman Villa, Where a Murder Lay Hidden for 1500 Years

Britain was part of the Roman Empire from the 1 st century AD to the start of the 5 th century AD when the emperor withdrew the legions from the islands and left the inhabitants to govern and fend...

This 2,000-year-old villa had luxurious ancient Roman underfloor heating. Source: Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa

6 November, 2022 - 13:50 ashley cowie

2,000-Year-Old Roman Villa Found in Germany had Luxurious Underfloor Heating

In 15 BC the Roman Emperor Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus, and his brother Tiberius attacked, subdued, and destroyed a Celtic settlement and founded the city of Cambodunum. Today, the foundations of...

The amazing Roman mosaic unearthed beneath the streets of Stari Grad on the Croatian island of Hvar. Source: Slobadna Dalmacıja / Arkeonews

22 February, 2022 - 13:57 Nathan Falde

Luxury Roman Villa and Mosaic Found on Croatian Island of Hvar

Archaeology on the Croatian island of Hvar in the Adriatic Sea is proceeding at a pace likely not exceeded anywhere else in the world. Just within the past two weeks, researchers affiliated with a...

The discovery of the Visigoth sarcophagus in an abandoned Roman villa in the Murcia region of Spain.

19 July, 2021 - 19:00 Sahir

1,500-year-old Visigoth Sarcophagus Found at Roman Villa Site

The Visigoths, the so-called barbaric tribe that would ultimately defeat the Romans and bring down the Roman Empire, were an early Germanic warring people. The course of their wars would ultimately...

Archaeologist Ivan Hristov displays the Jacuzzi heater

5 May, 2015 - 22:05 Mark Miller

Ancient Luxury Outpost with Heated Jacuzzi served Roman Emperor in Bulgaria

A highway outpost with a heated jacuzzi and swimming pool, plus a meeting place for VIPs, sits on a highway servicing a major world power. It sounds like a modern resort or hotel complex, but it was...

Underground chamber at Nero’s Palace dubbed ‘Sphinx Room’

10 May, 2019 - 16:57 Ed Whelan

Enchanting Hidden 'Sphinx' Chamber Discovered At Nero’s Golden Palace

Rome continues to be a rich source of archaeological discoveries. Archaeologists have just announced the discovery of a spectacular underground chamber that was once part of the Domus Aurea palace...

An artist’s recreation of the Gallo-Roman religious complex recently discovered at Rennes, France. Source: © Marie Millet / Inrap

14 June, 2022 - 18:44 Sahir

Gallo-Roman Worship Complex Dedicated to Jupiter and Mars Discovered

Last week, French archaeologists found the long-lost remains of a 2,100-year-old Gallo-Roman worship complex in Rennes, Brittany (northwestern France) on a hilltop with sweeping views of the Flume...

The construction and location of the Roman pool has the experts stumped. Source: AnchorSoprintendenza Speciale di Roma

10 September, 2020 - 18:45 Ed Whelan

What in the Roman Republic is this Giant Pool Found Outside Rome?

A major but enigmatic discovery has been made near Rome. A huge pool, that is at least 2,300 years old has been uncovered by archaeologists. However, the role and purpose of this pool is not known...

The ruins of the Baths of Caracalla in Rome, Italy

13 September, 2020 - 22:49 Ed Whelan

When in Rome, Even the Christian Pilgrims Enjoyed the Baths of Caracalla

When we think of the city of Rome, we can easily picture the wealth of ancient monuments from its imperial past. The Baths of Caracalla are perhaps as popular today as they were when they were used...

7 October, 2020 - 22:02 Ed Whelan

Luxurious Roman Villa On Display Under Lavish Modern Apartment Block

Rome is a place where many archaeological treasures and remains continue to be found. The latest discovery is a luxury villa with many remarkable artifacts and spectacular mosaics. This luxury Roman...

20 November, 2020 - 17:22 Ed Whelan

Caligula Palace, Gardens And Private Zoo Discovered In Central Rome

Rome is one of the richest sources of new archaeological finds and some, like this one, are really amazing. Recently, archaeologists unearthed a Caligula palace along with gardens and a private...

Baths of Caracalla Source: Fabio Caricchia / Soprintendenza Speciale di Roma

1 July, 2022 - 22:59 Sahir

2,000-Year-Old Frescoes Discovered Under the Baths of Caracalla

2,000-year-old frescoes dating back to the time of Emperor Hadrian will be on public display at the site of the Baths of Caracalla in Rome. The frescoes, which belong to different time periods and...

The 2022 excavations from the air, illustrating the scale and variety of the trenches examined, to enable a broader understanding of the villa complex. Source: © Historic England

29 November, 2022 - 14:00 ashley cowie

Luxury Bath Spa At Rutland Villa Was A Roman Barn Conversion

Last year archaeologists in the UK unearthed a rare Roman mosaic at a luxury 3rd century villa. Now, further excavations have revealed an “early barn conversion” with underfloor heating and a bespoke...

The latest Roman baths in Spain emerge from the sand dunes of Cape Trafalgar. Source: University of Cadiz.

20 May, 2021 - 18:02 Rudra

Ancient Roman Baths in Spain Discovered in Pristine Condition

The Battle of Trafalgar, right off the coast from Cape Trafalgar is the site of one of European history’s most famous battles – Napoleon’s fleet, with his Spanish allies, getting routed by the...

31 October, 2020 - 05:02 ashley cowie

Excavation of Roman Bath Complex Challenges Lifestyle Beliefs

A rare inscription discovered on an olive press at an ancient Roman bath complex is revealing secrets about rural life in late antiquity. The “Roman Balneum” is a bathing complex at Rafina, a famous...