CLEOPATRA’S VILLA

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3111, 27 April 1942, Page 2

CLEOPATRA’S VILLA

RUINS FOUND NEAR ROME FRESCOES AND MOSAICS Ruins of what archaeologists believe was the villa Julius Caesar provided for Cleopatra when the Egyptian queen came to Rome nearly 2000 years ago have been found by workmen grading the banks of the River Tiber. Elaborate frescoes and mosaics, stucco drains, pieces of marble, foundations of temples and even whole rooms were among the evidences of splendid ancient structures unearthed. When these ' archaeological finds came to light, scholars took charge of the excavating and something of the story told by the frescoes has been pieced together by Miss Amy Bernardy, Italian lecturer.

These frescoes, in which gaily-deco-rated boats sailed seas alive with dolphin, octopus and other marine life, indicated these ruins were of the Gardens of Caesar, a mile outside the walls of Ancient Rome.

Caesar brought the Queen of the Nile to Rome between 48 and 46 B.C. as a hostage.

Elaborate dwellings were built for her, or commandeered, on the banks of the Tiber.

Aparently she lived in luxury. There were frescoed rooms with heating apparatus, baths and temples. Remnants of glassware and pottery lamps were found, with images of racial, national or local divinities.

One entire room from Cleopatra’s supposed dwelling has been transported to the Termes Museum in Rome.