"Ancient Reflections "
Hadrian's Villa, Tivoli, Italy
Will Amundson '08
Catholic Rome, Lutheran Wittenberg Interim
The Roman Emperor Hadrian ruled in the second century AD. Instead of having a palace in Rome, he chose to live about 30 kilometers outside the city in a large villa built with the amenities of a city. Hadrian had over 30 buildings on the site, and many people lived with him there.
Tivoli was the perfect place to build a palace, because of productive local quarries and abundant water supply. Hadrian used this water in his palace, even building this circular swimming pool around his personal private apartment. Hadrian's villa now stands in ruins, yet remains an impressive reminder of the power and genius of ancient Rome.
