Ancient Rome - Rome - page 144

to the lower level, but from above you can see the basin of a fountain and beyond it rooms
that were paved with coloured marble.
Over on the other side of the Museo Palatino is the Domus Flavia, the public part of
Domitian's palace complex. The Domus was centred on a grand columned peristyle - the
grassy area with the base of an octagonal fountain - off which the main halls led. To the
north was the emperor's vast throne room (the aula regia ); to the west, a basilica (used by
the emperor to meet his advisers); and to the south, a large banqueting hall, the triclinium .
Museo Palatino
The Museo Palatino MAP GOOGLE MAP ( admission incl in Palatino ticket; 8.30am-1hr before sunset;
Colosseo) houses a small collection of finds from the Palatino. The downstairs section il-
lustrates the history of the hill from its origins to the Republican age, while upstairs you'll
find artefacts from the Imperial age, including a beautiful 1st-century bronze, the Erma di
Canefora.
Casa di Livia & Casa di Augusto
Among the best-preserved buildings on the Palatino is the Casa di Livia (closed to the
public), northwest of the Domus Flavia. Home to Augustus' wife Livia, it was built
around an atrium leading onto what were once frescoed reception rooms. In front is the
Casa di Augusto MAP GOOGLE MAP ( 11am-3.30pm Mon, Wed, Sat & Sun; Colosseo) ,
Augustus' separate residence, which contains superb frescoes in vivid reds, yellows and
blues. Entry to the Casa di Augusto is in groups of five.
ROMULUS & REMUS
The Palatino is closely associated with the legend of Romulus and Remus. Rome's mythical founders were said to
have been brought up here by the shepherd Faustulus after a wolf had saved them from death. From near the Casa
di Augusto you can look down into the 8th-century-BC Capanne Romulee (Romulean Huts) where the twins sup-
posedly lived with their adopted father. In 2007 the discovery of a mosaic-covered cave 15m beneath the Domus
Augustana reignited interest in the legend. According to some scholars, this was the Lupercale, the cave believed
by ancient Romans to be where Romulus and Remus were suckled by a wolf. Others vigorously contested this,
and the mystery remains.
The best spot for a picnic is the Vigna Barberini (Barberini Vineyard), near the Orti Farnesiani. It is sign-
posted off the path to the Roman Forum.