The Villa of the Papyri is one of the most magnificent Roman residences to have survived from antiquity, although it remains largely unexcavated. Located in Herculaneum, it was buried under meters of volcanic material during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. This catastrophic event, however, preserved a unique treasure that continues to fascinate scholars: the largest surviving ancient library.
History of the Villa of the Papyri
The Villa is believed to have belonged to Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus, Julius Caesar’s father-in-law and a patron of the arts and philosophy. Its discovery began in 1750 through well-digging by a farmer. Excavations soon followed, utilizing techniques that, while rudimentary by modern standards, allowed for the recovery of numerous artifacts and structural details.
The sheer scale of the estate suggests unparalleled luxury. It extended for over 250 meters along the coastline and featured beautiful gardens, a large peristyle (colonnaded courtyard) with a swimming pool, and a rich collection of bronze and marble sculptures, many of which are now displayed in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.
The library and its treasures
The Villa’s fame is inextricably linked to its unique library, which yielded nearly 1800 carbonized scrolls—the famous papyri. Preserved by the extreme heat and ash, these papyri offer a direct, if fragile, link to the philosophical and literary world of the 1st century BC.
The majority of the texts are works of Epicurean philosophy, particularly those by Philodemus, a Greek philosopher and poet who lived in the Villa. Although many scrolls are still too fragile or damaged to be fully deciphered, continuous research using advanced imaging techniques, such as X-ray phase-contrast tomography and AI, promises to unlock their secrets, potentially revealing lost works of classical literature. The study of the herculaneum papyri is an active, ongoing field of classical scholarship.
How to visit the Villa of the Papyri
The original Villa of the Papyri remains largely buried to protect its unexcavated areas and the sensitive materials within. However, visitors can explore the archaeological park of Herculaneum (Scavi di Ercolano), which covers a portion of the ancient city and offers a glimpse into the life of the inhabitants.
Additionally, a full-scale reconstruction of the Villa, based on the 18th-century excavation plans, is the centerpiece of the J. Paul Getty Museum’s “Getty Villa” in Malibu, California, offering an architectural experience that brings the ancient luxury and scale to life.