_(3).jpg) The remains of Villa Jovis | |
  Villa jovis Shown within Italy | |
| Location | Capri,Italy |
|---|---|
| Region | Campania |
| Coordinates | 40°33′30″N14°15′44″E / 40.55833°N 14.26222°E /40.55833; 14.26222 |
| Type | Dwelling |
| History | |
| Periods | Roman Imperial |
| Cultures | Roman |
| Site notes | |
| Condition | Ruined |
| Ownership | Public |
| Public access | Yes |
| Website | cir |
Villa Jovis ("Villa ofJupiter") is aRoman palace onCapri,southern Italy, built by EmperorTiberius and completed in 27 AD. Tiberius ruled mainly from there until his death in 37 AD.[1]
Villa Jovis is the largest of the twelve Tiberian villas on Capri mentioned byTacitus. The entire complex, spanning several terraces and a difference in elevation of about 40 m (130 ft), covers some 7,000 square metres (75,000 square feet).[1] While the remaining eight levels of walls and staircases only hint at the grandeur the building must have had in its time, recent reconstructions have shown the villa to be a remarkable testament to 1st-century Roman architecture.
Villa Jovis is situated in the very northeast of the island atop Monte Tiberio; its 334 m (1,096 ft) elevation makes it the second-highest peak of Capri, afterMonte Solaro (589 m [1,932 ft] elevation) inAnacapri.[2]
The north wing of the building contained the living quarters, while the south wing saw administrative use.[3] The east wing was meant for receptions, whereas the west wing featured an open-walled hall (ambulatio) which offered a scenic view towards Anacapri.[4]
As water was difficult to obtain at the villa's location, Roman engineers constructed an intricate system for the collection of rainwater from the roofs and a largecistern that supplied the palace with fresh water.[4]
South of the main building there are remains of awatch tower (specula) for the quicktelegraphic exchange of messages with the mainland, e.g. by fire or smoke.[5]
Access to the complex is possible only on foot, and involves an uphill walk of about two kilometres (one mile) fromCapri town.
Apparently, the main motivations for Tiberius's move from Rome to Capri were his wariness of the political manoeuvring in Rome and a lingering fear ofassassination. The villa is situated at a very secluded spot on the island and Tiberius's quarters in the north and east of the palatial villa were particularly difficult to reach and heavily guarded.
The Villa Jovis is also, at least according toSuetonius, the place where Tiberius engaged in wild debauchery.[6] Most modern historians regard these tales as sensationalized, but Suetonius's stories at least paint a picture of how Tiberius was perceived by the Roman people at the time.[7]
Archaeological sites inCampania | ||
|---|---|---|
| Province of Avellino |     | |
| Province of Benevento | ||
| Province of Caserta | ||
| Province of Naples | ||
| Province of Salerno | ||
| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
