The rediscovery of the imperial palace inspired artists such as Michelangelo, Ghirlandaio, Giulio Romano, Pinturicchio, and Raphael to descend into the vaults and illuminate the walls with torches. In the centuries that followed, Nero’s palace fell into oblivion and wasn’t rediscovered until the 15th century.Īt the time of the Renaissance, rooms, and corridors were found by coincidence under the Baths of Trajan. It took only forty years before the Domus Aurea was completely buried under newly constructed buildings. The rediscovery of the Domus Aurea: an inspiration for the Renaissance This created a series of underground rooms with barrel vaults, which today are hidden under the earth of the hill. The basement was filled with earth, which is why it’s exceptionally well preserved to this day. The upper floor of the Domus Aurea was demolished and the lower floor was reinforced with walls. Everything of value was removed from Nero’s magnificent Golden House and it became the base of the monumental baths. Emperor Trajan then ordered the construction of the Baths of Trajan. In 104 AD, a fire broke out in the residence building of the palace, damaging it considerably. Today, the ruins of the Colosseum, whose name comes from this “colossal” statue of Nero, are located there. This is where the huge statue (over 35 meters high) of Nero stood. According to the legend, the palace had an impressive entrance with a colonnade on the side of the Roman Forum. In 72 AD, Emperor Vespasian had the Colosseum built on the site of the artificial lake. However, subsequent emperors Vespasian, Titus, and Trajan had parts of Nero’s palace torn down to have their palaces constructed on the site. Nero’s successor Otho completed the palace. Thus, the foundation of the Domus Aurea was built in a relatively short period and was only used by Nero for a limited time. He was declared an enemy of the state by the Senate and fled until he died in June 68 AD. Nero had worked on the construction of his palace for only four years before his reign as emperor came to an end. However, this hasn’t been proven archaeologically. The Golden House is said to have had more than 300 rooms, which were reportedly decorated with precious ivory, ornate mosaics and frescoes, and large fountains.Īmong the most architecturally spectacular aspects of the building were two dining halls that formed an octagonal hall, the vast complex center.Īccording to ancient writings, the domed ceiling had movable elements to throw blossoms, flower petals, and fragrances down on the guests. The huge structure was less like a municipal palace and more like a vast estate. This is very likely, as the entire complex of buildings stretched over an area on which the imposing building of the Colosseum would have fit 25 times. When Nero inaugurated the house, he expressed his great satisfaction, saying that he was finally living in a house worthy of a man.” Impressive size and unique architectureĪccording to Elisabetta Segala, author of the book “Domus Aurea” published in 2005, the complex would have been a manifestation of power, as Nero aspired to a monarchy. The baths in this room were filled with sea and sulfur water. The dome moved constantly by day and by night, like the universe. In the dining rooms were movable ceilings of ivory, through which one could throw down flowers and spread perfume. Some parts of the house were entirely gilded and decorated with gold, precious stones, and shells. There were also mansions with fields, vineyards, plazas, meadows, and forests with wild and domestic animals of all kinds. The whole complex was so enormous that it had three colonnades of 1.6 km long.Īn artificial lake was almost as big as the sea, surrounded by houses as large as cities. “ In the hall of the Golden House stood a massive statue of Nero, measuring over 35 meters in height. Suetonius (Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, a Roman writer and governor) described the palace as follows: Nero designed it solely for his entertainment and named it after its facade, which was decorated with marble and gold leaf. The Golden House is said to have reflected his decadent taste and need for luxury. There are many statements in historical writings describing his ostentatious lifestyle. It’s said that Nero was inspired by the splendor of the villas in Campania and that his goal was to build the largest and most beautiful palace in the empire. What the Golden House would have looked like
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