2,300-year-old shell mosaic found in Rome's opulent banquet hall

Luxurious Banquet Hall Unearthed in Rome: A Glimpse into Ancient Aristocracy
Archaeologists in Rome have made a significant discovery on the Palatine Hill: an ornate banquet hall adorned with a brightly colored mosaic. This remarkable find offers insight into the luxurious lifestyle of the Roman aristocracy 2,300 years ago.

The excavation site is situated just a few hundred feet south of Rome’s central forum, traditionally regarded as the heart of ancient Rome. This area was lined with major temples and government buildings. The house, known as a “domus” in Latin, is believed to have belonged to an aristocratic family, possibly that of a Roman senator who may have led troops in battle.

The 2000-year-old shell grotto was used as an outdoor dining room and features a sizeable wall mosaic featuring brightly colored shells, coral and glass. Emanuele Antonio Minerva/MiC

The discovery was made during a five-year dig that began in 2018, revealing an aristocratic house built around 100 years earlier than Agrippa’s warehouses. This period corresponds to Rome’s Late Republican period, a time of intense political struggle between aristocratic factions.

The banquet hall, known as a “specus aestivus,” is a room shaped to imitate a cave. This design was used in the warm summer months to help residents stay cool. The hall was fitted with lead pipes that carried water to create fountains, adding to the luxurious atmosphere.

The mosaic, covering the end wall of the banquet hall, measures over 16 feet (4.8 meters) long. It features complex scenes depicted with a variety of materials, including:

Seashells
Coral
Mother of Pearl
Blue Glazed Tiles from Egypt
Flecks of Marble
Roman Glass

These elements create a vibrant narrative scene that likely celebrates the naval victory of the domus owner. The mosaic includes depictions of sailors, ships, mythical sea life, trumpets, and tridents, framed using spongy travertine, polychrome crystals, and ancient Egyptian blue tiles.

Archaeologists think the luxurious house on Rome\'s Palatine Hill where the mosaic was found was built in the second century B.C.(Image credit: Colosseum Archaeological Park/Italy Ministry of Culture) — Archaeologists think the luxurious house on Rome’s Palatine Hill where the mosaic was found was built in the second century B.C.(Image credit: Colosseum Archaeological Park/Italy Ministry of Culture)

The preservation of the mosaic is noteworthy. According to Marco Rossi, a professor of Roman antiquities and head of the mosaic lab at Rome’s Università degli Studi di Roma, “Mosaics are usually found on floors, but this runs across the entire front wall and has been incredibly well-preserved. It’s not been ruined by the weight of debris — as can happen to some mosaics on the ground.”

The house was built in several stories around a central garden atrium. Archaeologists think it belonged to an aristocratic family of Rome\'s senatorial class.(Image credit: Colosseum Archaeological Park/Italy Ministry of Culture) — The house was built in several stories around a central garden atrium. Archaeologists think it belonged to an aristocratic family of Rome’s senatorial class.(Image credit: Colosseum Archaeological Park/Italy Ministry of Culture)

The mosaic’s location on the Palatine Hill, buried by mud and soil as the land shifted, helped protect it from exposure to damaging oxygen.

Alongside the banquet hall, archaeologists uncovered an adjoining reception room covered in white stucco, painted with landscapes, figures, and decorative architectural elements. The domus was spread over several floors, likely in terraces around a central atrium or garden. It appears to have been built in at least three phases, with the oldest dating to the second half of the second century B.C. and the last to the end of the first century B.C.

Some scenes depicted on the mosaic show buildings that are thought to represent a city.(Image credit: Colosseum Archaeological Park/Italy Ministry of Culture)

Alfonsina Russo, the director of Rome’s Colosseum Archaeological Park, described the find as “truly exceptional.” She noted, “This is something new that inspires us to learn more and more about the part of the Palatine, which is a place of great importance for the history of Rome.”

The luxurious decoration of the banquet hall reflects the opulence and high social rank of the noble families who inhabited the Palatine Hill. “In ancient times, when powerful noble families inhabited the Palatine Hill, it was customary to use rich decorative elements as a symbol to show off opulence and high social rank,” Russo explained.

The mosaic also depicts tridents and the prows of ships, which archaeologists think may relate to a naval battle.(Image credit: Colosseum Archaeological Park/Italy Ministry of Culture)

The banquet hall, once an outdoor space overlooking a garden, was likely used for entertaining guests during the summer. Lead pipes embedded within the decorated walls carried water to basins or fountains, creating water games that added to the enjoyment of the wealthy aristocrats.

Archaeologists think the head of the household — the \ — Archaeologists think the head of the household — the “pater familias” or “father of the family” — was a wealthy Roman senator and military commander.(Image credit: Colosseum Archaeological Park/Italy Ministry of Culture)

The most important piece of the puzzle for archaeologists remains missing: the identity of the person who commissioned the mosaic. However, plans are underway to open the room to the public in late January, offering a rare glimpse into the opulence of Roman luxury.

The first walls of the house were found in 2018 and the discoveries are the result of five years of excavations.(Image credit: Colosseum Archaeological Park/Italy Ministry of Culture)

The discovery of this banquet hall and mosaic provides valuable insights into the lifestyle and culture of Rome’s ancient aristocracy. The intricate craftsmanship and exceptional preservation of the mosaic serve as a testament to the artistic achievements of the time and the enduring allure of Roman history.