The Horti Lamiani was a luxurious complex consisting of an ancient Roman villa with large gardens and outdoor rooms. It was located on the Esquiline Hill in Rome, in the area around the present Piazza Vittorio Emanuele. The horti were created by the consul Lucius Aelius Lamia, a friend of Emperor Tiberius, and they soon became imperial property. They are of exceptional historical-topographical importance. Along with other ancient Roman horti on the Quirinal, Viminal and Esquiline hills, they were discovered during the construction work for the expansion of Rome at the end of 1800s.
Plan of excavations (Lanciani 1901) with the red box indicating the ENPAM building and museum. 1: Cryptoporticus with opus sectile floor 2: underground rooms where many sculptures were found 3-6: Thermal baths
Horti of ancient Rome
Discobolus (Palazzo Massimo)
Esquiline Venus, Horti Lamiani (Centrale Montemartini)
The Gardens of Maecenas, or Horti Maecenatis, constituted the luxurious ancient Roman estate of Gaius Maecenas, an Augustan-era imperial advisor and patron of the arts. The property was among the first in Italy to emulate the style of Persian gardens. The walled villa, buildings, and gardens were located on the Esquiline Hill, atop the agger of the Servian Wall and its adjoining necropolis, as well as near the Horti Lamiani.
Interior of auditorium
Detail of apse
Charioteer of the Esquiline, Roman copy of Greek 5th c. BC (Capitoline)
Rhyton by Pontios (Capitoline museum)