STADIUM GARDEN

Before this area was excavated by A. Hoffmann in the 1970s (Das Gartenstadion [Mainz 1980]) it was thought to have been an open garden imitating the shape of a stadium, as is attested elsewhere. This explains its conventional name. Archaeological investigation showed that much of the central area was filled by two pavilions (oeci, 3,6) separated by a central plaza (1). In the area of the plaza were found fragments of a Niobid statue group of the same type as seen today in the Gallery of Niobe in the Uffizi. The statues were probably erected in the south nymphaeum (4). The southern pavilion (3), which had six majestic Ionic columns along the long walls, was bigger: indeed, it is one of the largest covered spaces in the villa. The northern pavilion (6) had two rooms, one of which had an impluvium. Each pavilion provided views of adjacent fountains: on the south toward a semi-circular basin sitting below the south nymphaeum (4); on the north toward a long euripus (7). The northern garden was surrounded by a colonnade (8) off of which, to the north, were large rooms (9-11) and a one-person latrine (12). The complex dates to Phase I (118-125 CE).