|
|
Ancient History Sourcebook
Statius (45-96 CE):
Silvae, II.2 A Roman Seaside Villa
[Davis Introduction]
About 90 CE. a Roman poet wrote this description of a friend's villa on the
beautiful bay of Naples. Despite somewhat strained and flowery language, we get a good
idea of the charms of the location and the elegance and luxury of the building. There is
no reason, however, to believe that this villa surpassed many others of its kind.
Between the walls that bear the name of the Sirens and the rocks burdened with Tyrrhene
Minerva's temple, stands a lofty mansion that looks out upon the Bay of Puteoli. This is
ground dear to Bromius. On the high hills ripens a vintage that need not be jealous of
Falernian vats. The sheltered waters, the crescent bay break a passage through the arc of
cliff on either hand. The charm that first meets the sight is a steaming bathhouse with
twin cupolas. From the land a rivulet of fresh water flows to meet the brine. From the
shore, along the long counterscarps of cliff, the colonnade makes its way, worthy of a
city. The long platform dominates the rough rocks. Where once was blinding dust and
dazzling sunshine---a wild, unlovely track---it is now a joy to pass.
One hall looks out upon the sunrise and the fresh beams of Phoebus, another keeps him
back at his setting and will not suffer the afterglow to pass. Here are rooms that resound
with the voices of the sea: here are others that refuse to know the thunderous surges, but
rather the silence of the land. What need to tell of statues fashioned long since in wax
and bronze? Masterpieces of Apelles and Myro and Phidias; bronzes from the funeral fire of
Corinth; busts of great captains, and bards, and wise men of old.
Why should I rehearse the countless roof tops and the ever-changing view? Each has a
charm of its own; every chamber window has its own view of the sea. There is one hall that
quite outshines them all; one hall that straight across the sea presents to thee, the view
of Parthenope. Therein are marbles chosen from the heart of the quarries in Greece, and
the other marbles from Egypt, or from Phrygia: green marbles from Laconia and yellow from
Numidia. Here are the Carystian pillars that delight to face seaward. These all front and
greet the towers of Naples. A blessing on the fancy that prefers the Greek, that makes a
Grecian land your home!
Source:
From: William Stearns Davis, ed., Readings in Ancient History: Illustrative Extracts
from the Sources, 2 Vols. (Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1912-13), Vol. II: Rome and the
West, pp. ??
Scanned by: J. S. Arkenberg, Dept. of History, Cal. State Fullerton.
This text is part of the Internet
Ancient History Sourcebook. The Sourcebook is a collection of public domain and
copy-permitted texts related to ancient history. Unless otherwise indicated the specific electronic form of the document is copyright.
Permission is granted for electronic copying, distribution in print form for educational
purposes and personal use. No representation is made about texts which are linked
off-site, although in most cases these are also public domain. If you do reduplicate the
document, indicate the source. No permission is granted for commercial use.
© Paul Halsall, July 1998
The Internet History Sourcebooks Project is located at the History Department of Fordham University, New York. The Internet Medieval Sourcebook, and other medieval components of the project, are located at the Fordham University Center for Medieval Studies.The IHSP recognizes the contribution of Fordham University, the Fordham University History Department, and the Fordham Center for Medieval Studies in
providing web space and server support for the project. The IHSP is a project independent of Fordham University. Although the IHSP seeks to follow all applicable copyright law, Fordham University is not the institutional owner, and is not liable as the result of any legal action.
© Site Concept and Design: Paul Halsall, created 26 Jan 1996: latest revision 15 November 2024 [CV]
|
|
