Rome Ancient Appian Way, map aerial photos, history, villas for rent Jogging and biking on the Appian Way You can see in the left map of ancient Italy the route of the road. In the initial section, near Rome, it was a highly monumental and scenic road. It then connected thriving towns and regions of Southern Italy, and it finally reached Brindisi, the gateway to Greece and to the East, which where the cradle of Mediterranean civilizations. VILLAS FOR RENT IN THIS AREA Villa in the Appian Way park in Rome : scenic and sophisticated villa with pool, with large garden, ideal for refined parties and weddings, with exquisite catering, for 12-200 persons. It can also host 12 persons in 6 suites. It allows archaeological excursions, and also nearby golf, biking, and tennis. Villa di Fiorano - along the Appian Way near Rome : "Fiorano", an amazing elegant 18th century large villa, with large park, fountains and swimming pool - suitable for celebrations, weddings and parties, with fine catering. Only the section near Rome retains the original route and general aspect, after 2,300 years since it was first paved.

In this first tract, two parallel contemporary roads run along it, the Appia Pignatelli and the Appia Nuova. Only after the ancient Bovillae (the present Frattocchie) the modern road was paved on the ancient one, and it thus looks like many roads in Italy, although every now and then it is flanked by ancient monuments and ruins. The first, and ancient tract, and its surrounding areas were transformed into an archaeological park, to preserve its historical and natural resources, and its landscape. The park is one of Rome's most acclaimed sights, and it is visited by tourists all year round. With the inception of the park, building within it is strictly forbidden. Only the few pre-existing villas built generally during the 19th and in the early years of the 20th century were condoned and thus authorized to remain. These rare villas are thus highly desirable, as they are surrounded by one of the most spectacular and beautiful parks in the world, rich of archaeological monuments and works of art, practically in Rome's centre. They are rare, and consequently priceless. The above small map gives you an idea of the layout of the archaeological park compared to all Rome's layout.

The small brown area is what Romans call "Centro Storico" or "Historical centre", which is encircled by the Aurealian Walls (the "Centre" for tourists). All areas around it within a radius of 3-4 kilometers are still considered "Centre" by Romans. Romans regards all areas within the large ring of Rome still as "Central". To find a villa with garden nowadays you need to go outside the ring. As mentioned, only very few fortunate persons own villas in the Appian Way park, thus not only in the centre, but also surrounded by a most amazing archeological and natural area. An aerial view of the Circus of Maxentius, and to its left, the House and the Mausoleum of Romulus, the founder of Rome, encircled by rectangular walls. The photo enables a view of the northern area of the park, bordering the "Centro Storico", which is encircled by Marcus Aurelius' Walls. The Appian Way Park appears like a green oasis in Rome's centre.

The right aerial photo shows the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella, the adjoining Caetani palace, and the ruins of a monastery in front of them (on the other side of the road). The Caetani were a noble family originating from the present Gaeta. They imposed heavy tolls to pass through the Appian Way, which brought over time to the formation of two new parallel roads, the Appia Pignatelli and the Appia Nuova, to bypass the tolls. However, because of this, nowadays we still have a preserved ancient Appian Way. To the left you can see an aerial view of the Quintilii Villa (Villa dei Quintili). It is situated between the Appian Way road and the present Appia Nuova, on which you find also a museum with the archaeological finds of the area. A team of archaelogists works permanently in this area. Nearby you also find the tomb of the Orazii and of the Curiatii, the champions of Rome and of Albalonga, in the first epic war of Rome and its neighbours.

Via Appia Antica - the first Roman highway Via Appia Antica The Via Appia Antica The first Roman highway The Via Appia Antica was already known in ancient times as the "Queen of the Road" and connected the Roman capital with the important ferry port Brindisi in the east of the country. Although there were many smaller roads in the 4th Century, it was Appius Claudius, who both gave the road its name as well as commissioned the construction of the first highway. In its first phase, the Via Appia led 195 kilometres to Capua and was extended to Brindisi in 190 B.C. With a total length of 580 kilometres, it was then the first and most modern highway in the world. With a two-lane road with a width of 4.75 metres, two 1.5 metre wide pavements and rest stops every 10 to 15 kilometres, it was thus the first highway of antiquity. Left and right of the Via Appia Antica, the Roman nobles built tombs for their families outside the city walls.

These tombs and memorials are today quite characteristic for the Via Appia Antica and produce a wonderful whole. Along the Via Appia Antica: Quo Vadis Domine and grave of Priscilla The best starting point for a walk along the Via Appia Antica is the small church Quo Vadis. According to legend, St. Peter wanted to flee from his martyrdom in Rome and met a man at this point whom he asked where he was going (Domine Quo vadis?). He replied "I come to be crucified again." Peter recognized that Christ spoke to him and turned back to face his fate. The small church reminds us of the legend. Directly opposite is a medieval tower. Here lies the grave of Priscilla, which was later converted into a watchtower. Via Appia Antica: Tomb of Romulus and the Circus of Maxentius Immediately after the church Quo Vadis you can see numerous tombs and statues along the way. Right after the entrance to the catacombs of St. Callixtus you reach the tomb of Romulus.

The rotunda with column architecture in the front is designed similar to the Pantheon and houses the remains of the early deceased son of the Emperor Maxentius. The villa of the Emperor and the Circus of Maxentius were once located behind the tomb. It offered space for 10,000 spectators who cheered at the chariot races. The excavations can be visited with the purchase of a pass. Via Appia Antica: Tomb of Cecilia Metella Shortly after the excavation you reach the imposing tomb of Cecilia Metella. It contains the remains of Cecilia Metella, the daughter of the consul Crassus, who defeated Spartacus in 71 B.C. and built the first triumvirate together with Caesar and Pompey. The colossal grave clearly shows the rise of the personality cult in the Roman Empire and the transition to the imperial period. In the following centuries, the tomb was converted into a proper fortress that served as a customs station for merchants along the Via Appia Antica. Today, the Via Appia Antica runs through the Regional Park Via Appia Antica, which guarantees the protection of historic sites.

Via Appia "Regina Viarum" - UNESCO World Heritage Centre Via Appia "Regina Viarum" Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activies State, Province or Region: Regions: Lazio, Campania, Basilicata, Puglia Provinces: Roma, Latina, Caserta, Benevento, Potenza, Matera, Taranto, Brindisi Ref.: 349 Word File Disclaimer The Secretariat of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Heritage Centre do not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any advice, opinion, statement or other information or documentation provided by the States Parties to the World Heritage Convention to the Secretariat of UNESCO or to the World Heritage Centre. The publication of any such advice, opinion, statement or other information documentation on the World Heritage Centre’s website and/or on working documents also does not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of UNESCO or of the World Heritage Centre concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its boundaries.

Property names are listed in the language in which they have been submitted by the State Party Description Via Appia is the first and most important of the great roads built by the Ancient Romans and is, therefore, also known as "regina viarum". It was built towards the end of the IV century BC, in 312, to ensure swift and direct communication between Rome and Capua. According to the Roman historian Livy, it was built by the censor Appius Claudius Caecus and named after him. The project reveals a surprisingly modern conception: by-passing all intermediate towns, the road is aimed straight at its goal. Outstanding feats of engineering, bridges, viaducts, galleries, ensured an unwaveringly straight course, across expanses of water, swamps and mountains; many of these works are practicable to this day. Via Appia also provides evidence as to the revolution in road construction brought about by the Romans. Till then, roads were little more than dirt tracks that became impracticable for wheeled vehicles at every rainfall. The Romans conceived specific road beds, for stability and drainage, that were paved with close-fitting slabs of dressed basalt, thus ensuring viability in all weather conditions.

This enabled them to build a vast network - state roads alone covered over 120,000 km - that remained intact for centuries and is still the backbone of the road systems of all the countries in the Mediterranean area. Also the legal status of these roads is truly innovative. The Persians and the Egyptians had built roads, but the Romans went further, they built a widespread and structured road network which, unlike earlier roads, was not reserved for the travel of kings or of their armies; it was a public, toll-free, system destined to serve the rural and urban population. All the roads had sidewalks and milestones indicating the main distances and to further facilitate travel, there were post stations at regular intervals providing change of horses and accommodation. This highly efficient road system was used by the cursus publicus, the Roman postal service, to deliver the post in all the Empire's provinces and, more importantly, for the exchange of messages between the provinces and the Empire's capital city.

For the first 90 km Via Appia ran straight from Rome to Terracina and was flanked, for the last 28 km, by a canal collecting waters of the reclamation works; travellers could then change to boats instead of travelling in wagons or on horseback. After Terracina, the road swerved towards Fondi, across the towering gorges of Itri and then down to Formia, Minturno and Sinuessa (now, Mondragone); from there straight again towards Casilinum (modern Capua), on the river Volturno and then on to the ancient town of Capua (today, S. Maria Capua Vetere). Via Appia was extended several times, as the Empire conquered the south of Italy; first up to Benevento, just after 268 BC, then across the Apennine Mountains up to Venosa and again up to Taranto. Finally, in the II century BC, it reached Brindisi, the main harbour for ships bound for Greece and the East.

Over the years, the original course from Benevento to Brindisi was gradually substituted by a shorter, easier route across the region of Puglia until, at the beginning of the II century AD, the Emperor Trajanus turned this into a real alternative itinerary and gave it his name. The new Via Appia Traiana allowed travellers to go from Rome to Brindisi in 13-14 days covering a total of 365 miles, just under 540 km. Thanks to constant maintenance, Via Appia, remained perfectly efficient for several centuries, until the Middle Ages, when the road went through a period of regression and abandon. In the XIV century, it became once again the main route of access to the South of Italy. Fully restored by the Popes and the Kings of Naples, the road was included by Napoleon among the routes he considered essential for his political and military activities. Via Appia is important in the history of architectural restoration for the many works aimed at reclaiming and restoring it, undertaken as of the XVI century.

Statements of authenticity and/or integrity For centuries, private citizens and illustrious personalities alike have been actively involved in the conservation and protection of Via Appia, which was certainly influenced also by the need to maintain the road in efficiency. Particularly important restoration works were performed at the beginning of the XIX century involving the more qualified artists and architects of the time. These works, carried out with a remarkably modern outlook and great scientific accuracy, gave rise to a proposal for a vast monumental park comprising Via Appia's entire course, from Rome to Brindisi. Although the project was never implemented and despite the absence of a general plan, the importance of the road itself and of its monuments was generally acknowledged so that its conservation is now assured through a number of restrictive measures, in accordance with the national legislation concerning cultural heritage, and through a number of parks created on large stretches of the road's course. Comparison with other similar properties Via Appia outranges all the other Roman viae publicae because of its excellent state of conservation: the entire course, both the first tracing and the alternative itinerary built by Trajanus, are clearly identifiable, and so are the innumerable monuments and complexes that were built, in the course of several centuries, alongside the road itself.

Furthermore, Via Appia plays an unique role in the framework of the Roman road network in that it induced the development of sites, ideas, works, testimonies and memories which, in the course of over 2300 years of history, formed a complex cultural environment, universally recognized as such by European and American writers, painters, poets and travellers who were undeniably marked by Via Appia and the adjacent territory areas. Along the Appian Way - Pictures of the Road and Buildings Along the Appian Way - Pictures of the Road and Buildings Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters Thanks, You're in! What I Learned About Today You might also enjoy: Health Tip of the Day Recipe of the Day There was an error. Please try again. Please select a newsletter. Please enter a valid email address. Did you mean ?

Appian Way/Via Appia: The Via Appia was often referred to in ancient Roman times as "longarum regina viarum" -- "queen of high Appian Way/Via Appia: The Via Appia was often referred to in ancient Roman times as "longarum regina viarum" -- "queen of highways" -- because it was the first and in many ways the most important of Roman roads. It also was the only road that really led to Rome. The hicks from the sticks, including ourselves, might think "All roads lead to Rome", but the insiders, real ancient Romans from Rome, not just generic "Romans" who were granted citizenship for political purposes, no, the real Romans all knew better. Roman roads always went from Rome, not to Rome: from Rome to the other nearby cities that needed conquering, from Rome to the countryside where produce and natural resources were to be taken, from Rome to those neighboring countries that eventually also needed conquering, from Rome to those far away places from England to Arabia and from the Danube to North Africa that also eventually needed conquest and exploitation.

Rome built more than 80,000 miles of paved highways, all of which led from Rome to somewhere. Roads were military structures designed, built and maintained, and guarded by specific legions, which used them to get from Rome to wherever they needed to be. So roads always were from Rome. Always, except for the Via Appia. Romans knew that this particular road came to Rome and from Alba Longa. Romans learned, as part of the "founding myths" of Rome, that Romulus and Remus, after they had been raised by the wolf and by the shepherd Faustus, and after they had slain the usurper Amulius and restored their grandfather Numitor to the throne in Alba Longa, had come back to Rome on the old unpaved road that led from Alba Longa to the base of a hill (the Palatine) next to the Tiber. That road was there before Rome -- it led to Rome. By 312 BC Rome was well under way (but not built in a day), and the censor Appius Claudius Caecus started to pave and extend the road and to transform it into the first Roman highway.

Curves were straightened, hills were lowered, and valleys were crossed by causeways and bridges. The first paved section was from Capua (near Naples) to Rome, but extensions continued to be built, and by 264 BC the Via Appia stretched from Brunduisium (Brindisi, on the Adriatic halfway down the heel of Italy's boot) to Rome. Its southernmost point was actually at Tarentum (Taranto, at the apex of Italy's "instep.") A spur, called the Via Appia Traiana, later connected Barium (Bari) to Rome. The Via Appia, and especially the stretch just south of Rome, with its long stretch of tombs and monuments, was the haunt of footpads and highwaymen and, so the Romans thought, of Lemurs. The Lemurs were ghosts, spirits of Romans who didn't get all the proper burial rituals or who needed to take revenge for their untimely deaths or who needed to punish grave plunderers. They hung around cemeteries until they were propitiated or avenged.

The thieves were real enough and were especially numerous during disturbed times such as the last fifty or so years of the republic, and then during Caesar's civil war with Pompey. Augustus finally got them under control after he got sole power in 30 BC, but they reappeared whenever imperial control flagged. Nero and others of Rome's insane emperors were said to have personally participated in the brigandage. There are now, of course, two Via Appias, the Antica and the Nuova. The Nuova is useful but completely without character or interest. The Antica is Appius Claudius' road. Its Roman terminus was near the southern end of the Circus Maximus, that is, the southeast corner of the Palatine, just outside the Servian wall. When it was first paved, it apparently ran just a little bit north of the present Via delle Terme di Caracalla and the Via di Porta San Sebastiano, but already in late Empire times its course had been shifted southward pretty much to where those roads are today.

It certainly went through Aurelian' wall at what was called the Porta Appia, the name used for the San Sabastiano gate at least until the 12th century. (What you see now at the gate is mostly 12th century. Many archeologists now think that the "Arco di Druso", just inside the gate, and long thought to be a wayward triumphal arch, was probably just an ornate structure to carry the Antoniniana aqueduct over the Via Appia.) The Via di Porta San Sebastiano is one of the nicest and most picturesque roads inside of the Aurelian walls because the area has escaped modern, that is, post-Renaissance, redevelopment. The area is park-like, with several Renaissance "rural" villas and casinas between the Piazzale Numa Pompilio and the Porta San Sabastiano. Vehicular traffic on this road is light, but that makes it all the more dangerous for pedestrians, because drivers go much too fast. There are no sidewalks along most of this road.

Outside of the gate, the road regains its ancient name and is lined for miles with tombs, catacombs, funeral monuments, and other antiquities. Among the most spectacular and famous sites are the catacombs, of course, and the well preserved (and open to the public) tomb of Caecilia Metella. There were similar things along other roads leading from Rome, but those on the Via Appia had a better survival rate simply because the city developed in other directions. The Via Appia Antica continues southward toward Naples. It was along this stretch that six thousand rebellious slaves captured in the final battle of the two-year-long Spartacus slave revolt were crucified in 71 AD on the orders of Crassus, whose wife was Caecilia Metella. Spartacus missed being crucified, because he was apparently killed in the battle. His body was never found, so there were rumors that he (and Hitler) might someday return.

Internet links: Via Appia inside the walls: Via Appia near Rome: Via Appia from the walls to Brindisi: Via Appia in the Platner and Ashby Topographical Dictionary: Via Appia Park (in Italian): Italian language guide for the first six miles outside the walls: French language notes and a good sketch-map of the first two miles: Porta Appia/Porta S.Sabastiano from Platner and Ashby: Images old and new from Koskimies: ~kkoskim/rooma/pages/VAPPIA.HTM Tomb of Caecilia Metella: Via Appia - California Scholarship Via Appia Index Page of PRINTED FROM CALIFORNIA SCHOLARSHIP ONLINE ( (c) Copyright University of California Press, 2017. All Rights Reserved. Under the terms of the licence agreement, an individual user may print out a PDF of a single chapter of a monograph in CALSO for personal use (for details see ).

Subscriber: University of Washington; date: 19 January 2017 Via Appia University of California Press DOI:10.1525/california/9780520079601.003.0014 This chapter explains that Via Appia was designed to connect Rome and Capua at a time when Campania began to form a unified political entity with Rome. It shows that the Appian Way was the first of the great Roman roads named not for its function or after the place to which it led, but for the magistrate who built it. The chapter notes that the route of Via Appia is uncompromisingly straight, except for occasional deviations caused for the most part by unavoidable features of the topography. It explains that another dominant feature of the suburban landscape is the tomb, whose location depended on several factors, and provides descriptions of the Porta Capena, the Tomb of Scipios, and the Frattocchie. California Scholarship Online requires a subscription or purchase to access the full text of books within the service. Public users can however freely search the site and view the abstracts and keywords for each book and chapter.

Please, subscribe or login to access full text content. If you think you should have access to this title, please contact your librarian. To troubleshoot, please check our FAQs, and if you can't find the answer there, please contact us. A Walk along Via Appia Antica from Cecilia Metella to Torre in Selci Introduction Via Appia Antica near the reconstructed tomb of the "Naked Hero" The first section of Via Appia was called Antica after the opening in 1574 of a new road which started at Porta S. Giovanni and joined the old one before it reached Albano . Usually in Italian a thing which has to be distinguished from a new one is called vecchia (i.e. Via dei Banchi Vecchi ), but in this case the added adjective was antica, owing to the many ancient monuments aligned along the road. Via Appia Antica in the proximity of Tomba dei Curiazi The archaeological and historical value of Via Appia Antica was recognized at the beginning of the XIXth century during the pontificate of Pope Pius VII and the French annexation of Rome and the first excavations and repairs were supervised by Antonio Canova.

At that time the rigorous criteria which are followed by the majority of today's archaeologists were not yet developed and the public expected the outcome of a campaign of excavations to yield "nice to see" results. This approach continued until the end of WWII: a certain number of monuments were reconstructed on an hypothetical basis or were slightly relocated; pines and cypresses were planted to add to the evocativeness of the site; the ancient basolato (the large flat basalt stones on the surface of a Roman road ) was covered with asphalt to allow important foreign guests who landed at Ciampino Airport to reach Rome by Via Appia Antica and impress them with the view of its monuments. Painted cupboard in the Vatican Library showing Via Appia Antica near Villa dei Quintili in ca 1860 Today, after a never-ending quarrel with the private owners of the villas at the sides of the road, the section of Via Appia Antica covered in this page (between Cecilia Metella and Torre in Selci ) is practically reserved to pedestrians, as the ancient Roman basolato has been unearthed again and it effectively discourages the use of cars.

Bagni di Erode Attico (above) Mosaic depicting a grapevine growing from a "Kantharos", a cup used for drinking wine; (below-left) geometric mosaic; (below-right) relief on the wall of a farm built near the site of the baths Herodes Atticus was a Greek rhetor who was highly regarded by Emperors Hadrian and Antoninus Pius to the point that he was entrusted with the education of future Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus . He was a very wealthy man and he became wealthier by marrying Annia Regilla, a member of an ancient and rich Roman family; her dowry included a large estate in Valle della Caffarella and also some land along Via Appia. Archaeologists are in the process of unearthing the remains of baths built by Herodes Atticus near Cecilia Metella; work is in progress (November 2009), but already some interesting mosaics have been found. Funerary Monuments Sepolcro Rotondo (round tomb) Roman Law forbade the construction of funerary monuments within the pomerium, the sacred boundary of the city, which initially coincided with its walls.

Because during the Republican period cremation was the ordinary way of disposing of a dead person's body, this prohibition had more to do with preserving the Republic, than with hygienic worries; it was seen as useful to prevent the return of the monarchy or the development of forms of personality cult because it said that no one deserved to be celebrated with a monument inside the city. The Romans who wanted to show their affection to their deceased relatives had to build tombs outside the pomerium and many of them chose Via Appia, which the Romans called Regina Viarum, because it granted the maximum possible visibility. While the pharaohs built pyramids, the Romans, with the exception of Caius Cestius and a few others, preferred to build round monuments. Emperors Augustus and Hadrian chose this shape for their mausoleums; along Via Appia, Cecilia Metella and many other tombs are round; the bodies of the dead or their ashes were kept in an underground chamber (hypogeum).

(left) Torre di Capo di Bove; (right) a monument showing a similar structure The most imposing monuments were built in opus caementicium and then faced with travertine or marble slabs (see a page on Roman construction techniques ). In most cases the decoration has been stolen thus uncovering the structure of the building. Brick monuments During the Ist century AD the manufacturing of fired bricks underwent a technological advancement; bricks were produced in different shapes and colours; in the following century bricks were no longer used just for the structure of a building, but to decorate it with pillars, capitals and different shades of red ( the so called Tempio della Salute , a mile from Via Appia Antica is another fine example of a brick monument, as well as Sepolcro di Annia Regilla ). Reconstructed monuments to M. Servilius (left) and to the children of Sextus Pompeus Justus (right) The small reconstructed monument to M. Servilius marks an important change in the approach followed in dealing with newly discovered decorations of ancient buildings.

From the XVth to the XVIIIth century columns, capitals, friezes were taken away from where they had been found and were used for giving an "ancient touch" to churches, palaces, villas and gardens. Antonio Canova, who found the remains of this monument in 1808, insisted, and obtained agreement from the papal authorities that they should not be removed but instead kept where they had been found; this approach was followed for some other monuments; eventually, given the risk of theft, the originals of many reliefs, statues and inscriptions found along Via Appia Antica have been replaced by copies. Inscriptions on tombs of "liberti" (that on the right has a reference to Velabro ) Verba volant, scripta manent (spoken words fly away, written words remain) is an ancient Latin expression which explains why the Romans were so keen on lengthy inscriptions . Those along Via Appia Antica give insight into everyday life in Rome: from them we learn about the jobs of the dead or where they lived; in many inscriptions a series of names is interrupted by L. or P.L.; the names before L. are those of the master, the name after L.

that of the libertus, a slave who was manumitted (released from slavery) through a formal legal process. In Rome it was customary to free educated and trained slaves; liberti added to their name those of their former masters (P. stands for Pater or Patronus), who often belonged to important families. Depending on the form of manumission, liberti could acquire the status of Civis Romanus (Roman Citizen), which granted them more rights than those reserved to many other inhabitants of the Roman Empire (until Emperor Caracalla granted Roman citizenship throughout the whole empire). Tempio di Giove Via Appia was so crowded with tombs and other monuments that some of them were built behind the first line and now are in the fields to the sides of the road. The picturesque ruin shown above is thought to have been a Temple to Jupiter, rather than a funerary monument.

Sepolcro dei Rabirii Depending on the importance of the tomb, the dead was mentioned in an inscription, or portrayed in a relief or remembered by a natural size statue; one of the finest and most puzzling reliefs is that portraying an aged couple with a young woman, Usia, first priestess of Isis; the size of her head is smaller than that of the aged couple, so it is thought the original head represented another member of the family; at a later time it was reworked to portray Usia between two symbols of Isis; the sistrum, a musical instrument (which you can also see in the image used as background for this page) and a ritual cup. No clues have been found to explain the rationale behind the change; maybe the answer lies in an Italian saying: parenti, serpenti (relatives, snakes). Detail of a funerary relief The reliefs portraying the dead followed a fixed pattern, but in one case the affection between wife and husband was so deep that they were portrayed while repeating dextrarum iunctio, a gesture they did on their wedding day, as if they wanted to give courage to each other in another crucial passage of their lives.

Apart from its emotional impact the relief sheds some light on the role of women in Roman society; they did not have political rights, but within the family they were respected and were honoured after their death. The Roman matrona has become a symbol of a married woman who is dignified and staid. (left) Tomba dei Curiazi (Curiatii); (right) Tombe degli Orazi (Horatii) Many tombs were completely robbed of their decoration and over time because of their circular shape they became small mounds. Three such mounds were associated with heroes of early Roman history ; Rome was founded by settlers from Alba Longa (near today's Albano), but at one point a war broke out between Rome and Alba Longa; in order to minimize bloodshed, it was decided that the result of the war would depend on the outcome of a battle between the Horatii, three Roman brothers and the Curiatii, three brothers from Alba Longa.

At the end of a first phase of fighting two Horatii were killed, while the Curiatii were wounded to a different degree; Publius, the last of the Horatii, started to run away, not to flee, but just to force the Curiatii to chase him; they did so, but at a different pace so that Publius Horatius was able to engage them one by one and kill them all; because the site is almost half way between Rome and Alba Longa, two mounds were thought to be the tombs of the two Horatii and a third one of the three Curiatii. Villa dei Quintili (left) Torre del Casale di S. Maria Nuova; (right) "Pyramidal tomb" A tall medieval tower built above an ancient cistern is the first indication of Villa dei Quintili for those who walk from Rome along Via Appia; immediately after they see the bare structure of a very large monument which was probably part of the villa.

(above) Villa dei Quintili seen from Via Appia Nuova; (below) Villa dei Quintili seen from Via Appia Antica The wealthy brothers Quintili built in the IInd century a large villa which included baths and a hippodrome. The remains of the buildings were scattered over such a vast area that they were given the name of Roma Vecchia (Old Rome) in the assumption that they belonged to a very ancient town. Nymphaeum The two Quintili brothers were appointed consuls in 151 AD, during the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius, which shows that they were on good terms with him. Unfortunately for them, Commodus, the son of Marcus Aurelius who became emperor in 180, was envious of their richness. Two years later the brothers were charged with plotting against the emperor and were sentenced to death. Commodus confiscated their properties and enlarged and embellished the villa.

(left) Frigidarium; (right) Calidarium with a pool Unlike the ancient monuments inside the city of Rome which started to be maintained and restored over a period of time, but which all were under some sort of legal protection by the beginning of the XIXth century, Villa dei Quintili did not receive adequate attention until 1985, when the area was acquired by the Italian State. The most impressive buildings are the two main halls of the baths; a series of smaller rooms between the two are thought to constitute the Tepidarium. (left) Marble decoration of the Frigidarium; (right) "pixelated" decoration of the Nymphaeum The remaining marble floor of the Frigidarium shows a very "modern" design and special attention to combining different coloured marbles . (left) Exedra (semicircular square); (right) marble inlay floor Archaeologists have recently uncovered a semicircular square near the Frigidarium. The size of the square was reduced when a series of small rooms was built on it. Both the square and the rooms had marble floors with different colours and patterns.

(left) Small baths for the guards; (right) mosaic near the private apartments The use of traditional black and white mosaics was rather limited. They have been found inside small baths near Casale di S. Maria Nuova, in a passage leading to the Frigidarium and near the private apartments. (left) Round cistern; (inset) drawing by Giovan Battista Piranesi (ca 1760); (right) view from the roof of the cistern towards Casale di S. Maria Nuova Villa dei Quintili was supplied by its own aqueduct . Water was stored in three cisterns one of which was very large. In November 2014 the archaeological area of Villa dei Quintili was enlarged to include Casale di S. Maria Nuova, a small barracks and the cistern (which had been turned into stables).

Museum of Villa dei Quintili: (left to right) Hercules; Diana of Ephesus ; reliefs showing Mithra (above) and a mythological creature (below); Astarte, a Phoenician goddess A small museum is housed in what was the farm of an estate; it contains recent findings inside Villa dei Quintili and other artifacts found in this section of Via Appia Antica; they show the relevance which eastern beliefs acquired in Rome between the IInd and the IIIrd century AD. The statue of Hercules is probably linked to the veneration Emperor Commodus had for this demigod, who was very popular among the Romans (you may wish to see the striking bust of Commodus as Hercules -external link- at Musei Capitolini ). Section of the villa for meeting/entertaining important guests Casale Rotondo Casale Rotondo Casale Rotondo (round farm) ends this section of Via Appia. It is one of the largest tombs and its top is occupied by a small farm which at some point replaced a medieval tower. Part of its decoration was reassembled on a nearby wall.

Details of the decoration based on candelabra Rome.info > Appian Way, Via Appia Rome Appian Way & Tour Latin: Via Appia The Appian Way or Via Appia Antica in Rome is one of the most famous ancient roads. It was built in 312 B.C. by Appius Claudius Caecus. In it’s entirety it spanned 350 miles(563kms). The Appian Way stretched from the Roman Forum to modern day Brindisi. Large stones made up the bulk of its construction and a softer gravel that was compacted between the rocks cemented it. Roman roads and especially the Appian Way were extremely important to Rome. It allowed trade and access to the east, specifically Greece. The Appian Way is visible today and many significant tombs and architecture line its borders. It was this Via Appia Antica road that many events took place. It might be most famous for its role in the slave revolt lead by Spartacus in 73 B.C. After the Roman army subdued the insurrection they crucified more than 6000 slaves and lined the Appian Way for 130 miles with their bodies.

Tour Tickets: By following this link you can book a Via Appia bike tour . The Appian Way is also lined with tombs of ancient patrician families of Rome. Among the tombs one will find the Christian catacombs , San Sebastian, San Domitilla, San Callixtus, and the most impressive, the tomb of Cecilia Metella. Walking along this road is rich in history and vision, a good starting place is at the gate of San Sebastiano. The Appian Way is so rich in history and significance and is really is a valuable experience. It is said to be the road in which Peter had his vision from Christ and headed back to the city of Rome to be persecuted. The part of Via Appia which is now called Via sacra(Sacred way, in the city center of Rome) begins at Capitol Hill. It passes through the Roman Forum leaving it just after the Arch of Titus. This ancient road also borders the Palatine and the Circus Maximus, as well as Caracalla's Baths , reaching the imposing gate of St. Sebastian. The remains of aqueduct Claudius are also located nearby, and are still well preserved.

Question: Via Appia is regarded as the first modern what?
Answer: Road