The resurgence of scholarly interest in Roman maritime villas has prompted large-scale Mediterranean studies examining origins, regional differences and social-economic contexts. This volume, based on a 2019 Campania conference, presents twenty-one papers on western Mediterranean maritime villas from the late Republic to late antiquity, including thematic studies on Christianity and iconographic representation. Despite claiming comprehensive western Mediterranean coverage, the distribution of contributions reflects some regional focus: eight chapters on the central Tyrrhenian coast (mainly Campania, except one on southern Latium and one on southern Etruria), six on Croatian sites (primarily Istria), three on France (of which one on Corsica Island), one each on Tripolitania and coastal Baetica, and two that do not focus on any specific geographical area but instead examine maritime villas in literary and visual sources. The editors aim to highlight recent discoveries, interpretative frameworks and methodological approaches, though some articles mainly summarise existing literature. The volume’s diverse content – from site reports to historical surveys and thematic analyses – is organised into five sections without a strict geographical or chronological structure. A more systematic arrangement could have enhanced coherence and comparative value.
The opening chapter analyses recent underwater archaeological research at villas in Baiae (Davidde Petriaggi et al.), highlighting the role of modern technologies – 3-D models, multibeam sonar and laser scanning – in landscape reconstruction and preservation. It discusses two sites: the Villa with Prothyrum Entrance and the Pisoni Villa, featuring a spectacular terrace built on pilae, protected by breakwater pillars and enhanced by a small viridarium. The authors provide detailed and rich documentation, including a bathymetric-morphological survey map, axonometric reconstruction, underwater photographs, elevation and 3-D reconstruction. The research explores villa–maritime environment relationships, highlighting innovative solutions demonstrating ancient architectural skills. The second chapter reviews underwater investigations at three maritime villas in southern Latium (F. Pesando and M. Stefanile). While some data are valuable, certain interpretations require further discussion. At Villa Gianola (Formiae), the fishpond remains are referred to as a remarkable structure, measuring 1,550m2, which might have been intended for industrial production. Clarification is needed on whether this figure represents the total or the usable area. Given the limited remains, hypothetical reconstruction presents challenges. Among Formiae’s fishponds, this is the smallest (cf. Villa Rubino: 5,664.85m²; Villa Comunale Umberto I: 2,073.37m²; Villa Largo Domenico Paone: 7,371m²), raising questions about its industrial capacity without volumetric data (R. Ferritto, ‘Methods and Applications of 3D Digital Reconstructions of Roman Structures’, in: B. Griffiths et al. [edd.], The Bloomsbury Handbook of Experimental Approaches to Roman Archaeology [2025], pp. 406–18). The reported possible fish-processing facility would benefit from further discussion. For Tiberius’ villa (Sperlonga), the reinterpretation of the rectangular artificial ‘island’ in the middle of the fishpond structure as a garden for special plants rather than a dining pavilion proves interesting. Regarding Villa Fontania (Caieta), the authors suggest that two originally separate villas were later unified but provide no supporting evidence. Based on available data and building techniques, the promontory appears to have hosted a single terraced villa built on substructures dug into the bedrock and reinforced with masonry, shaping the area near the sea (R. Ferritto, ‘Beyond Functionality: Decorative Aspects of Roman Villa Substructures’, BABESCH 98 [2023], 48–51; R. Ferritto, Maritime Villas of Southern Latium: Rediscovering the Architecture and its Wider Context [forthcoming]). Regarding the villa fishpond, an elliptical tank like the one on the western side of the bay also exists on the eastern side and is visible seasonally. Given the principle of symmetry in these structures, the proposed reconstruction with connected elliptical tanks should not be dismissed, contrary to the authors’ suggestion. Chapter 3 offers a technical analysis of fifteen Roman fishponds along the Tyrrhenian coast to track 2,000 years of sea level changes, revealing an average rise of 1.22±0.06m since Roman times (M. Anzidei and A. Benini). Chapter 4 offers a technical analysis of the Villa of Diomedes at Pompeii (by H. Dessales et al.), supported by detailed documentation. Its status as a maritime villa is uncertain, since it is over 1km from the coastline. However, it is its proximity to the urban settlement that raises classification questions, as acknowledged by the authors. Chapter 5 covers the so-called Villa Secondo Complesso of Stabiae, offering a description of the rooms, their functions and chronological phases, primarily through decorative elements, stamps and bricks, with less emphasis on building techniques (M.C. Napolitano). The discussion would benefit from a more detailed analysis of the potential marine resources mentioned and a comparison of the site with other villas in the Ager Stabianus, which is the second most important Campanian area for the density of maritime villas. Chapter 6 investigates Capri’s maritime villas, especially Villa Jovis, Palazzo a Mare, Gradola and Damecuta (A. Marzocchella and R. Ciardiello). However, it lacks updated documentation, such as that produced by CNR-ISPC (G. Caratelli and C. Giorgi, ‘A Metrological Approach to the Study of Ancient Architecture. The Cases of Grotta dell’Arsenale and the Villas of Gradola and Damecuta in Capri’, in: 2023 IMEKO [2023], pp. 796–801). The chapter claims these villas emulated Mediterranean models, but it does not discuss their specific typologies or locations. Villa Jovis is suggested to have served a representative function of the state. However, this interpretation would benefit from explicit evidence and consideration of alternative hypotheses, such as its role as a luxury palace with administrative functions, commissioned by Tiberius, inspired by Hellenistic models.
The second section examines eastern Adriatic maritime villas through four chapters. The first summarises southern Istrian villas, emphasising their stronger economic role than Italian counterparts (especially Campania), with pars rustica close to the residential areas (D. Bulić and R. Matijašić). This planimetric design merits comparison with similar arrangements in other provinces, particularly Iberia. The second chapter (G. Benčić and Rousse) analyses five Istrian villas with detailed plans and photos, though chronologies based on mosaics or fishponds remain uncertain. While noting villa locations near bays, the analysis would benefit from exploring their impact on maritime routes and territorial control. The third chapter provides updated analysis of the Santa Marina Villa in northern Istria (Rousse, Benčić and D. Munda). This large aristocratic complex (5,000m²) served residential, productive (olive oil/wine) and administrative functions as a fundus management centre. Its evolution and abandonment reflect broader historical changes, though relationships with other area settlements deserve further exploration. The final chapter discusses Istrian marine resources (M.B. Carre). When comparing fishponds, those along the Tyrrhenian coasts are described as unprofitable; however, recent analyses from Southern Latium challenge this view (Ferritto [2025]). Istrian fishponds seem to lack freshwater, which reduces productivity – an important factor for understanding owners’ income. Size matters: Busuja’s 482m² fishpond likely served household needs, as market-oriented operations typically required at least 800m². Many questions about their exploitation and socio-economic role warrant further research.
The third section, ‘Le ville del Mediterraneo occidentale’, presents mainly individual case studies. G. Brkojewitsch and P. Neaud analyse the Piantarella Villa in Corsica (first–fourth centuries ce), interpreted not only as a residence but also as a point controlling granite extraction and marine resources. The authors provide excellent documentation with phase plans and orthophotogrammetries, highlighting its regular courtyard plan and unusual materials for the Corsican context of that period. C. Sanchez et al. examine Port-la-Nautique near Narbonne, featuring a harbour used until 60–70 ce, a maritime villa and an exceptional circular fishpond (67m diameter, 3m deep) subdivided into four tanks with a central dining area – among the largest known from the Roman world. The description of the remains is well organised and supported by good plans and photos. Ciucci and F. Paul present the Baumelless villa at Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer (Narbonne). A detailed description of the site, including analysis of building techniques (where possible), is offered, thanks to which three phases are identified. This terraced villa featured an eighteen-column seafront portico and belvedere-tower. The article also presents recent initiatives for the promotion of the site, including a 3-D site reconstruction and virtual reality applications. The fourth chapter offers a summary contribution on the maritime villas of Baetica (R. Hidalgo Prieto), focusing in particular on Málaga examples: Faro de Torrox, Torre de Benagalbón and Río Verde. The last contribution provides an updated summary of Villa Silin Tripolitania (140–160 ce) and discusses coastal villas near Leptis Magna, highlighting their role as elite status symbols, permanent residences linked to olive oil trade and markers of social prestige and cultural integration during the imperial period.
The fourth part, on transformations of maritime villas in late antiquity, comprises three chapters. X. Lafon examines Southern Etrurian maritime villas, using archaeological data from Marina di San Nicola and Palo Laziale, plus Rutilius Namatianus’ De Reditu suo (416–417 ce). It is argued that large villas remained inhabited while smaller settlements were abandoned, with some areas continuing as hospitality centres and agricultural hubs into the fifth century. Despite limitations from scarce excavations and incomplete stratigraphy, this focused approach opens promising prospects for understanding late antique transformations. M. Čaušević-Bully and S. Bully systematically study Christianised villas in Croatia’s Kvarner archipelago, identifying three categories: private chapels, monumental buildings and monastic reuse of villa spaces. Their analysis reveals the archipelago’s integration into eastern Adriatic trade and illuminates rural Christianisation, though limited excavation data restricts some interpretations. D. Matetić Poljak catalogues decorative elements from Diocletian’s Palace in Split, documenting architectural features, marble columns, wall paintings, mosaics and sculptures. While decontextualised elements limit interpretation, the systematic approach provides essential groundwork for future research. The identification of eighteen marble types highlights imperial commercial networks, and the palace’s inclusion within villae maritimae represents a key contribution to understanding tetrarchic architecture, though comparisons with other imperial residences would strengthen contextualisation.
The final part explores maritime villas in literary and visual sources. G.H. de la Portbarré-Viard compares coastal villa descriptions in Statius (Silvae 2.2, 3.1) and Pliny the Younger (Epistulae 2.17). The following chapter questions whether the villas in Capri should be considered maritime structures, as they are on high cliffs and lack direct water contact (E. Federico). However, this topic is widely debated; and without a clear literary definition the author’s decision remains arbitrary. Capri’s villas, with their dominating positions – important quality for the typology, elsewhere obtained artificially with bases villae – had connections with water, as shown, for instance, by the many nymphaea linked to them. I. Bragantini explores architectural landscapes in Roman paintings (first century bce–first century ce), demonstrating how these ‘fictitious realities’ reflect elite social values and create decorative atmospheres rather than documenting actual architecture.
The book provides a comprehensive overview of western Roman maritime villa studies with decent content. While certain chapters offer new data with good illustrations and interdisciplinary approaches, others summarise existing knowledge and lack recent bibliography. Despite overlap with a concurrent publication on the same topic (G. Baratta and J.B. Nuez [edd.], Between the Land and the Sea: on villae maritimae in the Roman West [2024]), several contributions present fresh data and demonstrate continued scholarly interest in this field, where much remains to be explored.
