SECOND-CENTURY BUILDING NEAR ROME’S COLOSSEUM MAY HAVE HOUSED ANCIENT FIREFIGHTERS

Mosaics and frescoes discovered at Villa Celimontana could shed light on one of imperial Rome’s major military complexes

 Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a richly decorated second-century building near the Colosseum that may have been associated with the Vigiles, the firefighting and night-watch force of ancient Rome.

The discovery was made at Villa Celimontana, a historic park on Rome’s Caelian Hill, one of the seven hills traditionally associated with ancient Rome. The site was once the grounds of a noble residence dating to the 16th century.

Archaeologists have so far completely excavated five of the building’s eight rooms, revealing elaborate decorative features, including mosaics and painted architectural elements.

Among the most striking discoveries is a mosaic showing a dolphin, fish, lobster and crab arranged around a large two-handled vase. Investigators also uncovered remnants of a painted ceiling decorated with large red and blue circles.

Mosaic, Rome, Italy.

Possible Vigiles connection

The design of the mosaic has drawn particular attention because of its similarity to a mosaic previously found at a barracks belonging to the Vigiles in Ostia, the ancient port city located about 30 kilometres from Rome.

The similarity has led archaeologists to consider whether the newly uncovered structure was connected to the nearby barracks of the Fifth Cohort of the Vigiles, Rome’s ancient firefighters.

“If this hypothesis is confirmed, the discovery would help reassess the extent of one of the most important military complexes of imperial Rome,” the archaeological authorities said in a statement.

The Vigiles were established during the Roman imperial period to perform duties that went beyond firefighting. They were responsible for responding to fires and helping maintain public order during the night, making them an important part of Rome’s urban security system.

The location of the newly excavated structure is particularly significant because the nearby Vigiles complex was supplied with water from an aqueduct, an essential resource for a force responsible for combating fires in one of the ancient world’s largest cities.

Could it have been a wealthy Roman home?

Archaeologists, however, have not ruled out another explanation.

The building may instead have been a patrician domus, or private residence belonging to an affluent Roman family. The Caelian Hill was known for elite residences, and the sophisticated mosaics and frescoes discovered at the site could support the possibility that the building was a wealthy home rather than a military facility.

The archaeological authorities stressed that further research will be necessary before its function can be established.

“Only a thorough study of the excavation ⁠materials and the structures exposed will provide further information on the newly discovered structure,” the superintendency said.

A glimpse into imperial Rome

The discovery offers another glimpse into the highly organised urban infrastructure of imperial Rome. Fire was a persistent danger in the densely populated ancient city, where buildings were frequently constructed close together and many were made partly from combustible materials.

The Vigiles played a crucial role in dealing with those risks. Their presence also illustrates how Roman authorities developed specialised institutions to manage the challenges of governing a vast and densely populated imperial capital.

The excavation is part of ongoing archaeological work in Rome, where modern construction and restoration projects continue to reveal remains from different periods of the city’s long history.

The latest excavations were financed through European Union post-COVID economic recovery funds, allowing archaeologists to investigate the previously buried structure and document its architectural and decorative remains.