House of Augustus On The Palatine Part 1

THE HOUSE OF AUGUSTUS
PA L AT I N E , R O M E 4 1 B C - A D 6 4
AUGUSTUS 63 BC-AD 14 POST 36 BC LIVIA 59 BC-AD 29
PA RT 1 . 4 1 B C - A D 3
My name is Michael Bengtsson, a Swedish Creative Director sharing my time
between New York City and Fort Lauderdale in Florida.
Since my childhood I’ve been interested in history, especially the Hellenistic
and Roman era, combined with a deep interest in ancient architecture.
MY WORK IS MAINLY BASED OF THE FOLLOWING FINE SCHOLARS

AND ANCIENT WRITERS:
MARIA ANTONIETTA TOMEI

Augusto sul Palatino, Gli scavi di Gianfilioppo Carettoni
ANDREA CARANDINI
The Atlas of Rome
ANDREA CARANDINI
La Casa di Augusto
PATRIZIO PENSABENE, ENRICO GALLOCCHIO

Contribution to the discussion of the Augustan Palatine complex
PATRIZIO PENSABENE, ENRICO GALLOCCHIO

The substructure system in the southwestern area of the Palatine
PATRIZIO PENSABENE
Scavi del Palatino 2
AMANDA CLARIDGE
Rome, an Oxford Archaeological Guide
AMANDA CLARIDGE
Reconstructing the Temple of Apollo on the Palatine Hill in Rome
S. ZINK
Old and new archaeological evidence
for the plan of the Palatine temple of Apollo
T.P. WISEMAN
The House of Augustus
ELENA PIOLANTI, PROF. A. CORALINI

The House of Livia and the House of Augustus
CAROLINE K. QUENEMOEN
The Portico of the Danaids: A New Reconstruction
LIEN FOUBERT (NIJMEGEN)

The Palatine dwelling of the mater familias: houses
as symbolic space in the Julio-Claudian period
ROSLYNNE BELL
Power and Piety: Augustan imagery and
the cult of the Magna Mater
NATASCHA SOJC
Domus Augustana
Publius Ovidius Naso 43 BC - 18 AD

Sextus Propertius 45 BC - 15 BC
Valerius Maximus Worked during the reign of Tiberius (14 AD to 37 AD)
Pliny the Elder AD 23 - AD 79
Suetonius AD 69 - AD 122
Cassius Dio AD 155 - AD 235
CONTACT: SWECREATOR@OUTLOOK.COM
T O D AY
©michael bengtsson
What remains today of ‘Augustus’ house is a very complex amount of structures from many different periods.
My attempt is to reconstruct the progression, ranging from the republican era to at least post AD 64.
If the ‘House of Augustus’ didn’t belong to him, it is still the largest private complex on the Palatine,
dating from the late republican era. With so many different opinions and contradictions,
I’m trying to make sense of the different building periods, based on of what still remains today.
THE REPUBLICAN ROME
BASED ON THE PLAN RECONSTRUCTED BY ANDREA CARANDINI
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1. TEMPLE OF CASTOR AND POLLUX

2 . T E M P L E O F V E S TA
3 . T H E G AT E O F M U G O N I A
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4 . WA R E H O U S E
5 . L A R G E R E P U B L I C A N H O U S E W I T H A P R I VA T E B A T H
6. REPUBLICAN TEMPLES
7. LARGE REPUBLICAN HOUSE
8 . B AT H
9. TEMPLE OF JUPITER VICTOR?
10. HOUSE OF HORTENSIUS?
11. TEMPLE OF VICTORY
1 2 . T E M P L E O F M A G N A M AT E R
1 3 . P O R T I C O O F C AT U L I ?
14. LARGE REPUBLICAN HOUSE
1 5 . T H E G AT E O F R O M A N U L A
1 6 . LU P E R C A L?
1 7. C I R C U S M A X I M U S
18. SACRA VIA
T H E R E P U B L I C A N P A L AT I N E
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1 . T E M P L E O F M A G N A M AT E R
2. TEMPLE OF VICTORY
3 . H O U S E M O D I F I E D T O B E C O M E H O U S E O F ‘ L I V I A’
4 . H O U S E L E V E L E D T O B E C O M E H O U S E O F ‘A U G U S T U S ’
5 . H O U S E O F H O R T E N S I U S T O B E C O M E H O U S E O F ‘A U G U S T U S ’
6. SERVICE ROOMS
7. LUPERCAL WITH TEMENOS
8 . C A C I S TA I R
9. TEMPLE OF JUPITER VICTOR?
1 0 . T H E H U T O F FA U S T U L U S ?
1 1 . T E M P L E S TA I R S P R E 1 1 1 B C
1 2 . H O U S E S T H A T L A T E R C O U L D H AV E B E E N B E C O M E P A R T O F T H E A U G U S T A N C O M P L E X
P L A N O F T H E R E P U B L I C A N P A L AT I N E
BASED ON THE OUTLINE RECONSTRUCTED BY ANDREA CARANDINI
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1 . T E M P L E O F M A G N A M AT E R 11. HOUSE OF HORTENSIUS *according to T.P. Wiseman

2. THE HUT OF ROMULUS 12. REPUBLICAN DOMUS**** **according to T.P. Wiseman
3. TEMPLE OF VICTORY 13. REPUBLICAN HOUSE***** *** according to A. Carandini
4. TEMPLE OF JUPITER VICTOR?* 14. STREET LEADING TO THE TEMPLE OF VICTORY ****** **** remains still visible below
the upper part of Augustus house
5 . T H E H U T O F FA U S T U L U S ? * * 1 5 . C L I V U S PA L AT I N U S A
***** Would become the House of ‘Livia’
6. AULA ISIACA 1 6 . C L I V U S PA L AT I N U S B
****** Covered later on by Augustus
7. H O U S E O F T H E G R Y H O N S
8 . T H E C A C I S TA I R S
9 . LU P E R C A L? * * *
1 0 . A R C H A I C WA L L?
T H E H O U S E O F Q U I N T U S H O RT E N S I U S
THE FORMER HOUSE OF AUGUSTUS?
©michael bengtsson
Quintus Hortensius Hortalus (114–50 BC) was a famous Roman lawyer, a renowned orator and a statesman.
He was consul in 69 BC alongside Quintus Caecilius Metellus Creticus.
Hortensius’ oratory gave him such vast wealth that he was able to spend his money gratuitously on splendid
villas, parks, fish-ponds, costly entertainments, wine, pictures, and other works of art.
THE FORMER HOUSE OF AUGUSTUS
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PRE 41 BC
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1 . C O U R T YA R D
2. TRICLINIUM WITH EXEDRA
3. LIBRARIES?
4. BEDROOMS
5. SERVICE ROOMS
6. NYMPHEUM
11. 7. L O W E R & U P P E R C U B I C U L U M
8. OECUS
9. RAMP?*
5. 1 0 . A LT A R S
6. 1 1 . E S TAT E P U R C H A S E D B Y H O R T E N S I U S ?
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7. *Was the ramp, leading up to the second level, already been built by Hortensius?
Did he purchased the house west of his original house? The structure that would
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2. become the foundation of the Temple of Apollo.
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REPUBLICAN HOUSE
D AT I N G F R O M C . 1 0 0 B C . L AT E R B U R I E D U N D E R T H E U P P E R PA R T O F A U G U S T U S ’ H O U S E
7.
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5. 3. 2. 1.
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1 . M A I N E N T R A N C E /A T R I U M
7. 2 . TA B L I N U M
2. 3 . C O U R T YA R D
4. EEL POND
5. KITCHEN
3. 6. LOWER DINING ROOM?
4. 7. O R I G I N A L S T R E E T L E V E L 4 4 A . S . L .
5. C OV E R E D B Y T H E U P P E R PA R T O F A U G U S T U S ’ H O U S E
6.
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REPUBLICAN HOUSE
K N O W N A S “ T H E H O U S E O F L I V I A”
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The building known as “House of Livia” dates back to the first half of the 1st century BC,
and it was one of the many rich on houses built on that hill in republican times.
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2. SHOPS?
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3. KITCHEN
4 . TA B L I N U M
5. SIDE ROOMS
6 . L O W E R C O U R T YA R D
7. D I N I N G R O O M
8. ORIGINAL STREET LEVEL 44 A.S.L.
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REPUBLICAN HOUSE
K N O W N A S “ T H E H O U S E O F L I V I A”
History of the domus before Octavian: FIRST PHASE (late 2nd-early 1st B.C.):
In the southern part, divided from the northern one by a long corridor, there were eight rooms with a service function,
among which it is proposed to recognize a balneum (bathroom) and a culina (kitchen). The latter had a
floor in opus spicatum and had inside the recess of a counter in masonry, a kind of sink, and a drainage channel.
There was no open fire and they cooked by placing the embers on the counter and on this the pots.
On the ground floor, in the north-western part, there was a rectangular courtyard with pillars squares (of which the bases
remain), which supported a canopy; in the north-eastern part, there was the actual vestibulum (entrance), which gave access
1. to an atrium with impluvium, overlooked by several small rooms.
THE HOUSE OF LIVIA AND THE HOUSE OF AUGUSTUS

1. In-depth study by Elena Piolanti in Archeology and History of Roman art, Prof. A. Coralini
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1 . H A L LW AY S
2 . S TA I R
4 . TA B L I N U M
5 . L O W E R C O U R T YA R D
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10. 6 . U P P E R TA B L I N U M
7. U P P E R C O U R T YA R D ?
8. UPPER SIDE ROOM
11.
9. LOWER SIDE ROOM
9. 10. BEDROOMS
11. CUBICULUM
12.
1 2 . S E R VA N T S
13. ORIGINAL STREET LEVEL 44 A.S.L.
P U R C H A S E D B Y O C T AV I A N I N 4 1 / 4 0 B C
ADDITIONAL
PROPERTIES
PURCHASED
B Y O C T AV I A N ?
©michael
Suetonius indicates that at the age of 22, Augustus then named Octavian, moved into the House of Quintus Hortensius on bengtsson
the Palatine,
relocating from his original home in the Roman Forum.
Velleius reports that Octavian purchased the land and house of Hortentius in 41/40 BC.
Soon there after he must have bought at least another two properties to enlarge the house.
He had just married Claudia, but the marriage just lasted till 40 BC.
Octavian divorced Claudia to marry Scribonia, with whom he would have his only child, Julia the Elder.
Suetonius (c. 70 AD – 130 AD), lawyer and secretary of the imperial palace, wrote of the House of Augustus:
“He lived at first near the Forum Romanum, afterwards on the Palatine in a modest dwelling remarkable neither for size or elegance,
having but a short colonnade with columns of local stone and rooms without any marble decorations or handsome pavements.
For more than 40 years he used the same bedroom in winter and summer.” Suetonius records among the habits of Augustus his inclination to
retreat from time to time to a place he called ‘Syracuse’ or his ‘technophuon’ (workshop).
It sounds like a major contradiction to the findings, but maybe it refers to the original house. 40 years in the same bedroom could fit with the
fact that the house was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in AD 3.
4 1 /4 0 B C - 3 6 B C
1.
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By purchasing an additional 2-3 properties, Octavian’s house became at least three times larger than any other private ©michael bengtsson ©michael bengtsson
structures on the Palatine. The inspiration must have been the Hellenistic/Ptolemaic Palaces in Alexandria.
By the end of 40 BC Cleopatra VII gave birth to twins, a boy named Alexander Helios and a girl named Cleopatra
Selene II, both of whom Antony, Octavian’s main rival, acknowledged as his children. It must have been a major threat to
Octavian. Civil war between Antony and Octavian was averted in 40 BC, when Antony married Octavian’s sister, Octavia.
Despite this marriage, Antony carried on the love affair with Cleopatra.
1. “Above the vault there is in fact a floor which indeed presents a sequence of suspensurae to be connected to an insulating system MARCUS ANTONIUS C L E O PAT R A V I I
rather than a need for heating, and therefore suggests an uncovered area turned into a garden.” 83 BC – 30 BC 69 BC – 30 BC
Patrizio Pensabene, Enrico Gallocchio; Contribution to the discussion of the Augustan Palatine complex
4 1 /4 0 B C - 3 6 B C
©michael bengtsson
This reconstruction is based on Andrea Carandini’s research, but with some modifications I made to the center part of the structure and some 2nd fl. floor levels.
In 1865, Pietro Rosa began excavations at what is now called the House of Livia. His excavations, part of a larger program commissioned by Napoleon III, included a superficial excavation
of the Domus Augusti, located to the south. In 1937, Alfonso Bartoli did further surveys of the area and found archaeological remnants of collapsed vaults.
In 1956, extensive excavations began under Gianfilippo Carettoni. His initial excavations revealed a structure, consisting of a set of rooms, which has now been identified as part of a larger
complex known as Peristyle A. He attributed this structure to Augustus based on its proximity to the nearby Temple of Apollo.
In the first decade of the 2000th further work revealed that the original peristyle was part of a much larger house. A restoration program was completed in 2008, giving the public access.
The plan of the site is based on two identical peristyles, A and B, bordered by rooms. This entire site occupies ca. 8,600 m2.
The main question is, was it ever finished?

And if this vast structure didn’t belong to Octavian, who owned it?
4 1 /4 0 B C - 3 6 B C
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The areas in red indicates the additional structures added by Octavian.

Plan based on the findings by Gianfilippo Carettoni and Andrea Carandini.
1. PERISTYLE A 12. PERISTYLE B

2. TRICLINIUM WITH EXEDRA 13. OECUS CYZICENUS
3. LIBRARIES? 14. TRICLINIUM
4. BEDROOMS 15. OECUS CORINTHIUS
5. SERVICE ROOMS 16. GARDEN?
6. NYMPHEUM 1 7. O R I G I N A L R E P U B L I C A N S T R U C T U R E ?
7. L O W E R C U B I C U L U M 18. RAMP
8. TETRASTYLE OECUS 1 9 . T R AV E R T I N E P I E R S
9. RAMP
1 0 . S TA I R C A S E S
11. TUNNEL CONNECTING PERISTYLES A & B
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Staircases and ramps indicate there must have been a second level.
This level had access to the side street, that later was built over.
1. SIDE STREET 1 2 . TA B L I N U M ?
2 . M A I N E N T R A N C E & AT R I U M ? 13. UPPER OECUS CYZICENUS?
3 . S I D E E N T R A N C E & S M A L L AT R I U M ? 14. LIBRARY?
4. BEDROOMS 15. RAMP
5. SERVICE ROOMS 16. TERRACE?
6. TRICLINIUM? 1 7. S H O P S ?
7. U P P E R C U B I C U L U M
8. TETRASTYLE OECUS
9. RAMP
1 0 . S TA I R C A S E S
11. GARDEN
4 1 /4 0 B C - 3 6 B C
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Facade facing Circus Maximus

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1. PERISTYLE A
2 . R E P U B L I C A N F O U N D AT I O N S
3. REPUBLICAN SERVICE ROOMS
4. TUNNEL CONNECTING
PERISTYLES A & B
5 . VA U LT W I T H S U S P E N S U R A
6 . T R AV E R T I N E P I E R S
Republican foundation Republican service rooms Tunnel connecting peristyles A & B, Travertine piers
vaulted and with Suspensura
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1. RAMP
2. TETRASTYLE OECUS 1. 2.
3. UPPER CUBICULUM
4. LOWER CUBICULUM
5 . E X T E R N A L S TA I R C A S E ?
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3. 4.
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4 1 /4 0 B C - 3 6 B C
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1. PERISTYLE A
2. EXEDRA
3 . T E R R A C O T TA P L A Q U E S
4. UPPER PERISTYLE
5. LOWER ENTRANCE
6 . S TA I R C A S E ?
Terracotta plaques found in 1968 during Carettoni’s excavation of the house,

showing Apollo and Hercules with the Delphic tripod. Octavian associated
himself with Apollo, while Antony claimed descent from Hercules.
These plaques could have been used to decorate the peristyles.
A symbol of union between the rivals after Antony married Octavian’s
sister, Octavia in 40 BC? Museo Palatino, Rome.
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1. TRICLINIUM
2 . VA U LT E D P U B L I C R O O M
3. LIBRARIES?
4. ANTEROOM
5. BEDROOM?
6 . 3 R D L E V E L F O R S E R VA N T S ?
7. M A I N E N T R A N C E & A T R I U M ?
Triclinium Vaulted public room Library? Remains of wall painting

in an anteroom
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1. TRICLINIUM
2 . VA U LT E D P U B L I C R O O M
3 . H A L LW AY S T O S E R V I C E R O O M S
4. LIBRARIES?
5. ROOM OF THE PINES
6 . S M A L L AT R I U M ?
Vaulted public room Hallway to service rooms Room of the Pines

4 1 /4 0 B C - 3 6 B C
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1. SERVICE ROOMS
2 . S TA I R C A S E
3. ROOM OF THE MASKS
4 . W O O D E N S TA I R C A S E
5. SIDE ENTRANCE?
6 . 3 R D L E V E L F O R S E R VA N T S ?
7. M A I N E N T R A N C E ?
Service room Remains of staircase Room of the Masks Remains of wooden staircase
36 BC - AD 3
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36 BC - AD 3
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I have based this reconstruction of the upper part of Augustus house from “The Atlas Of Ancient Rome” edited by Andrea Carandini.
Carandini writes that new firm evidence that one of the foundation that destroyed the lower house for the new vast temple terrace was covered earlier than the
podium of the Temple of Apollo dedicated in 28 BC. But in my opinion it seems unlikely that Octavian buried and destroyed the peristyle building that must
have been under construction since the purchase in 41/40 BC and maybe just completed.
It doesn’t making any sense that the two tunnels, still existing today, that connected the new upper level with the lower original level would
lead to a buried and filled in house. My hypothesis is that the new temple terrace that buried the original house happened after the fire in AD 3 or after AD 64.
According to Maria Antonietta Tomei, archaeological evidence restores the Portico of the Danaids to the level of the temple precinct, a site that fell out of favor
with scholars after Carettoni’s excavations. “The Portico of the Danaids: A new Reconstruction” by Caroline K. Quenemoen
expands upon the findings of Tomei, to a new reconstruction of the portico’s appearance in antiquity.
36 BC - AD 3
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Suetonius indicates that the interior of Octavian’s property was struck by a lightning bolt, and so he declared this a public property
and dedicated a temple to Apollo Palatinus, as Apollo had helped Octavian in his victory over Sextus Pompey in 36 BC.
Because of this “pious act” the senate decreed that the property around this area should be given to Octavian from public funds.
1 . PA R T O F B U I L D I N G , S T R U C K B Y L I G H T I N G ?
2 . A T L E A S T F I V E P R O P E R T I E S M U S T H AV E B E E N G I V E N T O O C T AV I A N
FROM PUBLIC FUNDS?
36 BC - AD 3
©michael bengtsson
The construction could have started sometime after 36 BC.

The temple was dedicated six years later, on October 9, 28 BC.
36 BC - AD 3
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Foundations
1 . T E M P L E F O U N D AT I O N S
2 . T R AV E R T I N E P I E R S
3. COVERED SIDE STREET
4 . R A I S E D N E W F O U N D A T I O N S B U I LT O V E R R E P U B L I C A N H O U S E S
5. RAISED SIDE STREET?
6 . AT R I U M T R A N S F O R M E D I N T O A B A S E M E N T
7. T U N N E L C O N N E C T I N G U P P E R S T R U C T U R E T O P E R I S T Y L E A
8 . T U N N E L C O N N E C T I N G “ L I V I A’ S H O U S E ” T O P E R I S T Y L E B
9 . G R O U N D R A I S E D T O C . 4 7. 8 A . S . L .
1 0 . R A I S E D P L AT F O R M W I T H F O U N TA I N S
11. NEW LOWER ENTRANCE
36 BC - AD 3
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Plan
1 . S TA I R S L E A D I N G T O T H E T E M P L E A R E A?
2 . A LT A R
3 . T E M P L E P L AT F O R M
4 . A R C H O F G A I U S O C T AV I U S ?
5 . P O R T I CO O F T H E DA N A I DS?
6. UPPER TWIN STRUCTURES?
7. S M A L L P E R I S T Y L E S
8 . F O R E C O U R T FAC I N G T H E H U T O F FA U S T U L U S ?
9 . “ B R I D G E ” C O N N E C T I N G U P P E R S T R U C T U R E T O “ L I V I A’ S H O U S E ” ?
10. PERISTYLE?
11. NEW UPPER ENTRANCE?
13. VESTIBULE?
14. LIBRARY?
36 BC - AD 3
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11. 13. 6.
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Ground floor ©michael bengtsson
1 . S TA I R S L E A D I N G T O T E M P L E A R E A?
2 . A LT A R
3 . T E M P L E P L AT F O R M
14.
4 . A R C H O F G A I U S O C T AV I U S ?
5 . P O R T I CO O F T H E DA N A I DS?
6. UPPER TWIN STRUCTURES?
7. S M A L L P E R I S T Y L E S
8 . F O R E C O U R T FAC I N G T H E H U T O F FA U S T U L U S ?
9 . “ B R I D G E ” C O N N E C T I N G U P P E R S T R U C T U R E T O “ L I V I A’ S H O U S E ” ? 14.
10. PERISTYLE?
11. NEW UPPER ENTRANCE?
13. VESTIBULE?
14. LIBRARY?
THE TEMPLE OF APOLLO
36 BC - AD 3
CLOSED OFF
RAMP
©michael bengtsson
The Temple of Apollo Palatinus was vowed by Octavian in return for the victory over Sextus Pompeius at the Battle of Naulochus in 36 BC and over Mark Antony and Cleopatra
at the Battle of Actium 31 BC. The remains of the building were excavated in the 1960s by Gianfilippo Carettoni, in an area sloping steeply down towards the Circus Maximus.
The temple’s precinct was an artificial terrace (70 x 40 m), supported on opus quadratum sub-structures. It contained an altar faced with the sculptural group “Myron’s Herd”,
sited together on an elaborate base. In the northern part of this terrace the temple was raised on a high podium, built in blocks of tufa and travertine in the load-bearing parts and elsewhere in cement.
The temple itself was in blocks of Carrara marble, with a pronaos as well as a facade of full columns on the front and the same order continued on half columns against the outside walls of the cella.
The ancient sources state the temple had ivory doors and held numerous works of sculpture. The pediment included two bas-reliefs of hunting the Galatians, from Delphi, and 6th century BC Chian art,
with sculptures of the Niobids by Bupalus and Athenis. The cult group in the cella included a statue of Apollo Citharoedus, possibly by Scopas and perhaps from the sanctuary of Apollo at Rhamnus in Attica;
a sculpture of Diana, by Timotheos; and one of Latona, sculpted by Cephisodotus.
The Sibylline Books were placed in a crypt below the statue of Apollo, transferred here from the temple of Jupiter on the Capitol (Suetonius, Div. Aug. 31.3).
The temple was surrounded by a portico (the portico of the Danaids) with columns in yellow ‘giallo antico’ marble, and with black marble statues of the fifty Danaids in between the column-shafts,
a sculpture of Danaos with his sword unsheathed, and equestrian statues of the sons of Egypt.
36 BC - AD 3
Travertine piers*
The use of travertine, and the large scale of the piers
(60 x 90 cm) exceed the structural requirements of the
domestic peristyle yet are well suited to carry the load
of the precinct above.
The travertine piers provide further archaeological
evidence to restore the Portico of the Danaids to the
level of the temple precinct. The even interaxial
spacing of the piers disrupts the design of the house
by blocking the views of the rooms that open onto the
peristyle’s east flank. Such disregard for view planning
is particularly odd since engaged travertine piers on the
north flank of the peristyle frame the room entrances.
It thus seems likely that their placement reflects the
intercolumniation of the Portico of the Danaids.
The cryptoporticus of Late Republican terraced
sanctuaries and the elevated precincts of contemporary
capitolia likewise serve as the foot print for the portico.
*The Portico of the Danaids: A new Reconstruction”

by Caroline K. Quenemoen
T R AV E R T I N E
T R AV E R T I N E
PIERS
PIERS
©michael bengtsson
36 BC - AD 3
©michael bengtsson
Propertius 50 BC - 15 BC Book II.31:1-16

“There in the midst, the temple reared in bright marble, dearer to Phoebus than his Ortygian land.
Right on the top were two chariots of the Sun, and the doors of Libyan ivory, beautifully done.
One mourned the Gauls thrown from Parnassus’s peak, and the other the death, of Niobe, Tantalus’s daughter.
Next the Pythian god himself was singing, in flowing robes, between his mother and sister.
He seemed to me more beautiful than the true Phoebus, lips parted in marble song to a silent lyre.
And, about the altar, stood four of Myron’s cattle, carved statues of oxen, true to life.”
36 BC - AD 3
Old and new archaeological

evidence for the plan of the Palatine
temple of Apollo. S. Zink
“In answer to T. P. Wiseman’s final paragraph, the SW
orientation of the Palatine temple of Apollo was never
questioned over the last 150 years for a single, good
reason: a series of enormous foundation holes indicates
the location of the temple’s columnar façade.
Now c.7 m deep but originally almost 10 m, these
holes once contained the ashlar blocks of the
temple’s front colonnade, which featured 6 columns of
almost 15 m height, rising to an overall height of about
26 m if we include both podium and pediment.
As the pairs of lateral columns shared a wider set of
foundations, the temple preserves 4 foundation
holes for the 6 frontal columns.
The applied construction technique of the foundations
is well known from Late Republican and Augustan
temples: massive ashlar walls supported all load-bear-
ing parts (columns and walls), while the spaces in
between were filled with opus caementicium.”
“Ashlar blocks of the temple’s front colonnade,

which featured 6 columns of almost 15 m height,
rising to an overall height of about 26 m if we
include both podium and pediment. “
S. Zink
©michael bengtsson
Foundation holes indicates the location of the temple’s

columnar façade.
36 BC - AD 3
1.
2. 3.
5.
4.
6. 7.
©michael bengtsson
The cult group in the cella included a statue of Apollo Citharoedus, possibly by Scopas
and perhaps from the sanctuary of Apollo at Rhamnus in Attica;
a sculpture of Diana, by Timotheos; and one of Latona, sculpted by Cephisodotus.
The Sibylline Books were placed in a crypt below the statue of Apollo, transferred here
from the temple of Jupiter on the Capitol (cf. Suetonius, Div. Aug. 31.3).
1. APOLLO CITHAROEDUS
8.
2. DIANA
3 . L AT O N A
4. CRYPT HOLDING THE SIBYLLINE BOOKS
6 . T U N N E L L E A D I N G T O T H E N E W U P P E R W E S T PA R T O F T H E H O U S E
7. T U N N E L L E A D I N G T O “ L I V I A ’ S H O U S E ” .
8. BRONZE TREE HOLDING OIL LAMPS
©michael bengtsson
T H E P O RT I C O O F T H E D A N A I D S
36 BC - AD 3
ARCH OF
G A I U S O C T AV I U S ?
PORTICO OF
T H E DA N A I DS?
RAISED GROUND?
BEDROCK
Pliny the Elder AD 23/24 - AD, 79 Natural History, 36:36

It is apparent from the honor given to it that work of Lysias, which the Divine Augustus dedicated in honor of his father Octavius
in an aedicula adorned with columns upon the arch on the Palatine, was held in great esteem.
This work consisted of a four-horse chariot group and an Apollo and a Diana, all carved from one piece of stone.
Propertius 50 BC - 15 BC, Book II.31:1-16 The New Colonnade

You ask why I came so late? Phoebus’s gold colonnade was opened today by mighty Caesar; such a great sight,
adorned with columns from Carthage, and between them the crowd of old Danaus’s daughters.
There in the midst, the temple reared in bright marble, dearer to Phoebus than his Ortygian land.
Caroline K. Quenemoen, The Portico of the Danaids: A New Reconstruction

The Portico of the Danaids has continued to puzzle Roman archaeologists. Tomei’s discoveries of the last decade have at last shed
new light on this important monument. In 1990, she offered convincing iconographic and stylistic evidence to identify
the famed Danaids with under-life-sized herms (ca. 1.2 m), three of nero antico and at least one of rosso antico, found in 1869 by
Rosa in the cryptoporticus on the north and east flanks of the Temple of Apollo.
The herms, nearly identical except for slight differences in the carving and in the positions of the raised arm and the head,
are closely paralleled by Danaid representations in South Italian vase painting.
Ovid and Propertius specify that the statues stood in the intercolumniations of the portico,
and the small scale of the statues favors their placement in the second story.
Museo Palatino, Rome.

36 BC - AD 3
3.
5.
4.
1.
2.
©michael bengtsson
1 . W O O D E N S TA I R R E A C H I N G U P P E R L E V E L?
3 . U P P E R C O U R T YA R D
4 . T U N N E L L E A D I N G T O T H E N E W U P P E R W E S T PA R T O F T H E H O U S E
5 . A S H L A R WA L L
TUNNEL
36 BC - AD 3
Pediment with Tritons

flanking a Gorgon head,
alluding to a naval victory.
2.
1.
3.
5.
4.
©michael bengtsson
Andrea Carandini is basing the reconstruction of the upper facade

from a relief, Augustan period. London, British Museum.
The relief depicting the cult dedicated to Bacchus near Domus Au-
gusti, which may be identifiable as the fountain that stood on the side
of the facade along the prolongation of the scalae Caci.
In the background there is a dwelling, perhaps the private home of
Augustus.
1 . FAC A D E
2. PEDIMENT WITH TRITONS
3 . F O U N TA I N S
4. COVERED STREET
5. TUNNEL LEADING TO THE
N E W U P P E R W E S T PA R T
OF THE HOUSE
Relief, Augustan period. London, British Museum. Fountain dedicated to Bacchus?

36 BC - AD 3
2.
3.
1.
4.
6.
5.
©michael bengtsson
1. EXEDRA
2. SECOND FLOOR
5. COVERED STREET
OF THE HOUSE
36 BC - AD 3
2.
3. 1.
5.
4.
©michael bengtsson
1. EXEDRA
2. SECOND FLOOR
4. BURIED REPUBLICAN HOUSE
OF THE HOUSE
36 BC - AD 3
2. 2.
4. 3. 1.
7.
5. 6.
©michael bengtsson
1. SMALL PERISTYLE
2. SECOND FLOOR
3. VESTIBULE?*
5 . F O U N D AT I O N WA L L
6. REPUBLICAN EEL POND
7. T U N N E L L E A D I N G T O T H E
OF THE HOUSE
*According to Carettoni, the north

west corner of the new upper house,
could have been a vestibule on a lower
level, with an entrance facing the
fountains.
VESTIBULE?
36 BC - AD 3
3. 3.
4. 2. 2.
5. 1.
7.
6.
©michael bengtsson
1. SMALL PERISTYLE
2 . D O O R W AY S L E A D I N G T O
“ L I V I A’ S H O U S E ” ?
3. SECOND FLOOR
4. VESTIBULE?
6. BURIED REPUBLICAN HOUSE
7. S T A I R L E A D I N G F R O M T H E
TUNNEL TO THE NEW UPPER
W E S T PA R T O F T H E H O U S E
S M A L L P E R I S T Y L E T O D AY
THE HOUSE OF LIVIA
36 BC - AD 3
4.
3.
6.
5.
1.
2.
©michael bengtsson
Livia Drusilla was 22 years old when she divorced Tiberius Claudius Nero and then married Octavian in 37 BC. 1. SIDE STREET
Her first child, the future emperor Tiberius, born in 42 BC, was 5 years old. Maybe Octavian gave her a private 2. RAISED GROUND
dwelling for her and her child. One of the republican houses that could have been given to Octavian from public 3. VESTIBULE?
funds underwent major changes. 4 . A D D E D T H I R D L E V E L?

In order to build The Portico of the Danaids on the same level as the Temple of Apollo, the ground to the north of 6 . G AT E L E A D I N G T O T H E
the temple most have been raised c. 3.8 m. The second floor of the eastern part of the republican house was demol- PORTICO?
ished. The side street was raised c. 1.4 m - c. 2.3 m, in order to connect to the portico platform.
The original ground level became the basement, and a third level could have been added. It must have been a vesti-
bule that connected the two structures. My theory is it was built as a vaulted structure to clear passage below. Ac-
cording to Carandini’s reconstruction, the two structures was completely connected, eliminating the side street. But
I find it unlikely, the republican wing would loose all the windows for daylight and ventilation.
I agree with Amanda Claridge and T.P. Wiseman that the house was leveled down to basement level at one point,
but I think it happened after the fire of AD 64. I’m basing it on the foundation wall that broke through and destroyed
the lower Tablinum. A wall Rosa mistook as “costruzioni delle epoche barbariche”.
DEMOLISHED
WING
RAISED GROUND
REPUBLICAN HOUSE
THE HOUSE OF LIVIA
36 BC - AD 3
13.
12.
6.
2.
9.
1.
8. 14.
2.
4.
11.
7.
5. 3.
15.
10.
The building known as “House of Livia” was one of the many rich houses built in republican times. Around the year 30 BC the house underwent major restoration works and was decorated
with the marvellous frescoes which are still visible. The paintings date back to the 30s BC and some brick restorations would be relevant to after the fire of AD 3.
The inscription Iulia Augusta, which can be read on the lead pipes, is the reason why the building is supposed to belong to Livia, wife of the emperor Augustus. A hypothesis is that it was a pre-existent
independent house built at the time of the Roman republic, and then renovated around the year 30 BC to obtain an apartment for Livia inside the wider building complex.
Access was via an inclined corridor, most likely not the original entrance, which was closed during the alteration.
It must have been on the opposite side, where traces of an impluvium and some small bedrooms remain.
Lower level
1 . TA B L I N U M 9. KITCHEN
2. SIDE ROOMS 1 0 . T E R R A C E W I T H F O U N TA I N S
3. DINING ROOM 11. RAISED SIDE STREET
4 . L O W E R AT R I U M 1 2 . B U R I E D PA R T O F T H E H O U S E
5. NEW LOWER ENTRANCE 13. TUNNEL
6 . F O R M E R AT R I U M ? 14. TUNNEL
7. L O W E R V E S T I B U L E ? 1 5 . F O U N D AT I O N
8 . H A L LW AY
THE HOUSE OF LIVIA
36 BC - AD 3
8.
7.
2.
3. 4. 5.
9.
1.
6.
©michael bengtsson
1. 2. 3. 3. 4.
1. DINING ROOM
2. LOWER VESTIBULE? 5. 5.
3 . S E R VA N T S A R E A
4. KITCHEN WITH A WELL AND A COOKING STOVE
5 . B U R I E D PA R T O F T H E H O U S E
6. LOWER SERVICE ROOM
7. 2 N D L E V E L V E S T I B U L E ? BURIED BURIED
8. 3RD LEVEL PA R T PA R T
9 . F O U N TA I N
THE HOUSE OF LIVIA
36 BC - AD 3
6.
7.
5.
4.
8.
1. 9.
2. 3.
©michael bengtsson
2. 4. 8.
2. LOWER SERVICE ROOM
3 . H A L LW AY L E A D I N G T O S E R VA N T S A R E A
4 . H A L LW AY L E A D I N G T O A S T A I R C A S E
5 . 2 N D L E V E L H A L LW AY
6 . 3 R D L E V E L H A L LW AY
7. P O R C H & M A I N E N T R A N C E
8. RAMP
9 . B U R I E D PA R T O F T H E H O U S E
THE HOUSE OF LIVIA
36 BC - AD 3
9. 8.
10.
7.
5.
2. 3.
6.
11.
4.
1.
©michael bengtsson
1. 1. 2. 3. 4.
5.
1. RAMP LEADING TO THE LOWER ENTRANCE

2 . L O W E R AT R I U M
3 . L O W E R TA B L I N U M
4. SERVICE AREAS
5 . S TA I R S L E A D I N G U P T O A S M A L L P E R S I T Y L E
6. TUNNEL LEADING TO LOWER PERISTYLE B
7. P E R I S T Y L E ?
8 . U P P E R TA B L I N U M ? DEMOLISHED
9 . U P P E R AT R I U M ? WING
10. PORCH WITH MAIN ENTRANCE? AT R I U M

11. RAMP
R E P U B L I C A N H O U S E B E F O R E M O D I F I C AT I O N
REPUBLICAN HOUSE
THE HOUSE OF LIVIA
36 BC - AD 3
8. 7.
9.
6.
1.
2. 3.
5. FILL
10.
4.
©michael bengtsson
1. LOWER ENTRANCE
2 . L O W E R AT R I U M
3. SIDE ROOM
4 . S E R VA N T S Q U A R T E R S ?
5. CUBICULUM
6 . B A C K WA L L O F T H E P E R I S T Y L E
7. U P P E R S I D E R O O M ?
8 . U P P E R AT R I U M ?
9. PORCH WITH MAIN ENTRANCE?
10. RAMP

House of Augustus On The Palatine Part 1

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THE HOUSE OF AUGUSTUS

AUGUSTUS 63 BC-AD 14 POST 36 BC LIVIA 59 BC-AD 29

MY WORK IS MAINLY BASED OF THE FOLLOWING FINE SCHOLARS

MARIA ANTONIETTA TOMEI

PATRIZIO PENSABENE, ENRICO GALLOCCHIO

PATRIZIO PENSABENE, ENRICO GALLOCCHIO

ELENA PIOLANTI, PROF. A. CORALINI

LIEN FOUBERT (NIJMEGEN)

Publius Ovidius Naso 43 BC - 18 AD

1. TEMPLE OF CASTOR AND POLLUX

1 . T E M P L E O F M A G N A M AT E R 11. HOUSE OF HORTENSIUS *according to T.P. Wiseman

©michael bengtsson ©michael bengtsson

THE HOUSE OF LIVIA AND THE HOUSE OF AUGUSTUS

The main question is, was it ever finished?

The areas in red indicates the additional structures added by Octavian.

1. PERISTYLE A 12. PERISTYLE B

17. 14. 14.

Facade facing Circus Maximus

©michael bengtsson ©michael bengtsson

Terracotta plaques found in 1968 during Carettoni’s excavation of the house,

Triclinium Vaulted public room Library? Remains of wall painting

Vaulted public room Hallway to service rooms Room of the Pines

The construction could have started sometime after 36 BC.

Ground floor ©michael bengtsson

*The Portico of the Danaids: A new Reconstruction”

Propertius 50 BC - 15 BC Book II.31:1-16

Old and new archaeological

“Ashlar blocks of the temple’s front colonnade,

Foundation holes indicates the location of the temple’s

Pliny the Elder AD 23/24 - AD, 79 Natural History, 36:36

Propertius 50 BC - 15 BC, Book II.31:1-16 The New Colonnade

Caroline K. Quenemoen, The Portico of the Danaids: A New Reconstruction

Museo Palatino, Rome.

Pediment with Tritons

Andrea Carandini is basing the reconstruction of the upper facade

Relief, Augustan period. London, British Museum. Fountain dedicated to Bacchus?

*According to Carettoni, the north

funds underwent major changes. 4 . A D D E D T H I R D L E V E L?

1. RAMP LEADING TO THE LOWER ENTRANCE

10. PORCH WITH MAIN ENTRANCE? AT R I U M

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