This Villa dating back to the 3rd-4th century A.D. is located just outside of Piazza Armerina. The once state-of-the-art Villa del Casale was part of a large estate belonging to a wealthy Roman. The Villa is famous for its incredible mosaics that decorated every room. The mosaics were preserved thanks to a flood in the 12th century that buried them in mud. The Villa was discovered in the late 19th century and since then the baths, internal courtyard, owner's private apartments and the long corridor which connects it all have been amazingly restored and preserved.
As we passed the pups and entered the baths, we saw the frigidarium (cold bath room), above, which is decorated with mosaics depicting mythical sea creatures.
Then we headed into the foyer of the main house, above. A common theme for mosaics displayed in a home's public areas is the victories of Rome and the spread of the empire through famous, epic battles.
We then encountered the long corridor famous for its hunting scenes.
This passageway depicts wild game hunting and boars and lions being captured and loaded onto ships presumably to provide entertainment in amphitheatres spread all over the empire.
As we entered the vestibule to the private apartments, we saw this mosaic depicting Ulysses and Polyphemus (the cyclops).
Mosaics in the private apartments were often sexual as they were intended to entertain only the owner and his mistress. This one is of a seductive young woman showing off her derriere while a young man (presumably the owner) embraces her passionately.
Also found in one of the private apartments, is the most famous of all mosaics at the Villa - the Hall of the Female Gymnasts in Bikinis.
Now we know who invented the bikini. In this mosaic, there are 10 female gymnasts performing different sports and providing a wonderful record of the fashions of their time.
Look at the girls dancing in bikinis, that's still a popular activity.
A bikini and dumbells - perhaps she was the Jane Fonda of her day.
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