Project Pausilypon. Excavation and architectural analysis and planning of the Palace of Emperor Augustus in Naples

Research manager:

Salvatore De Vincenzo in codirectorship with Gianluca Soricelli (University of Molise)

Start date: 2019

End date: Undefined

Brief description and objectives of the research:

As part of the joint research project of the University of Molise and the University of Tuscia (Authorized by the Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio for the City of Naples), the architectural and planimetric development of the public sector of the Pausilypon is being analyzed. This sector corresponds to the upper northwestern terrace of the complex, on which the structures of the theater, the odeion, a building northeast of the theater interpreted as a sacrarium and an additional building located in the highest sector of the tufa bank, in which a Gartenstadion has been hypothesized.

The two earliest building phases found will be analyzed primarily. The first of these turns out to be documented mainly in the highest sector of the complex, located behind the odeion, as well as in the curvilinear walls bordering the area in front of the theater. In contrast, the walls of the theater as well as the first phase of the odeion are made of opus reticulatum, which documents its second construction phase.

With regard specifically to the structures in the sector behind the odeion, these in all probability are to be considered functional in defining a substructure, articulated with chamber foundations, destroyed at the time of the building of the apsidal hall in summa cavea of the odeion. This substructure, contrary to previous assumptions, is not to be referred to the first phase of the odeion, but more likely to the villa of P. Vedio Pollione. The building with curvilinear walls, partially destroyed at the same time as the construction of the theater and incorporated into the new construction project to form a post-scaenam area with respect to the theater, also refers to this first phase. This new construction phase coincides with the Augustan reorganization of the Pausilypon complex, to which not only the theater but also the building of the odeion refers

Possible collaborating entities and institutions:

The project is carried out in collaboration with the University of Molise.