Anymphaeum (Latinpl.:nymphaea) ornymphaion (Ancient Greek:νυμφαῖον,romanized: nymphaîon), inancient Greece andRome, was amonumentconsecrated to thenymphs, especially those ofsprings.
These monuments were originally naturalgrottoes, which tradition assigned as habitations to the local nymphs. They were sometimes so arranged as to furnish a supply of water, as at PamphylianSide. A nymphaeum dedicated to a local water nymph,Coventina, was built alongHadrian's Wall, in the northernmost reach of the Roman Empire. Subsequently, artificial grottoes took the place of natural ones.
The nymphaea of the Roman period extended the sacral use to recreational aims.[1] They were borrowed from the constructions of theHellenistic east. At a minimum, Roman nymphaea may be no more than a niche set into a garden wall.[2] But many larger buildings are known. Most wererotundas, and were adorned with statues and paintings. They served the threefold purpose ofsanctuaries, reservoirs and assembly-rooms. A special feature was their use for the celebration of marriages. Such nymphaea existed inCorinth,Antioch andConstantinople; the remains of some twenty have been found in Rome and many inAfrica. The so-called exedra ofHerodes Atticus (which corresponds in all respects to a nymphaeum in the Roman style), the nymphaeum in the palace ofDomitian and those inHadrian's Villa inTivoli (Tibur)—five in number—may be specially mentioned. The nymphaeum inJerash, Jordan (illustration), was constructed in 191 AD. The fountain was originally embellished with marble facing on the lower level, painted plaster on the upper level, and topped with a half-dome roof, forming a giantniche. Water cascaded through seven carved lion's heads into small basins on the sidewalk.
Nymphaea may be artificial grottoes, large-scale stonework to create or enhance a resemblance to a natural cave. Deliberately rough stones might be used—Pliny the Elder noted thatpumice was often used to give the appearance of a cave.[3] Water was a much-desired feature; at least a trickle, often flowing over the rocks to make them glisten.[4]
Nymphaea were important in the architectural movement ofmosaic from floor to walls and ceiling vaults in the 1st century. Initially they were often decorated with geometrical mosaics often incorporating shells, but by the end of the century could contain ambitious figure subjects.[5]
The termnymphaeum was also applied to the fountains of water in the atrium of theChristianbasilica, which according toEusebius were symbols of purification.Phiale is an equivalent Greek term.
A nymphaeum foral fresco summer dining featuring artificial grottoes with waterflows was designed byBartolomeo Ammanati (1550–1553), and was reintroduced at theVilla Giulia, Rome.[6]
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This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Nymphaeum".Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 19 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 930.
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