Beyond Functionality. Decorative Aspects of Roman Villa Substructures

Monumental substructures represent an important development in Roman villa architecture. Although at first functional, they soon took on scenographic functions. It is this visual impact that has been the focus of study to-date, with the aesthetic development of these lower, interior spaces often overlooked in favour of the upper residential areas. These substructures have mainly been seen as purely utilitarian spaces. This article aims to reassess villa architecture by examining decorative elements found in the lowest level of villa substructures in Italy from the 2nd century BC to the 1st century AD in order to examine the aesthetic principles at play in these ‘functional’ spatial contexts. This paper—which is based on new archaeological data as well as previous studies—argues that, at least in certain instances, the lowest level of substructures featured decorative elements and assumed a double function of structural and recreational space.