Archaeologists have unearthed a lavish private bath complex in Pompeii, evoking the wealth and grandeur of the ancient Roman city before it was destroyed by Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, the site said on Friday.
The bathrooms, with warm, hot and cold rooms, can host up to 30 guests, allowing them to relax before moving into the adjacent, black-walled banquet hall, decorated with scenes from Greek mythology.
The number of daily visitors to Italy’s ancient Pompeii park has been reduced to tackle overtourism
The Ananda Complex is located inside a grand residence that has been exposed during excavations over the past two years, revealing the multifaceted social life of this prosperous city before it was buried under a thick, suffocating blanket of ash by Vesuvius.
A central courtyard with a large basin graces the house, which is believed to have been owned in its final years by a member of Pompeii’s elite.
“This discovery underlines that Roman houses were more than private residences, they were forums for public life and self-promotion,” said Gabriele Zuchtrygel, director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park.
A private thermal bath complex discovered by archaeologists in a villa in the ancient city of Pompeii is seen in Pompeii, Italy, in this undated handout photo released Jan. 17, 2025. (Pompeii Archaeological Park/Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism/Handout via Reuters)
Zuchtrygel said the layout reminded scenes from the Roman novel “The Satyricon”, where banquets and baths were central to displays of wealth and status.
Decorated with frescoes, the complex takes inspiration from Greek culture, with an emphasis on themes of leisure and erudition.
“The homeowner tried to create a spectacle by turning his home into a Greek-style palace and gymnasium,” Zuchtrygel said.
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The remains of more than 1,000 victims have been found during excavations in Pompeii, including two bodies inside a private residence with a bathhouse – a woman, aged between 35–50, who was holding jewelery and coins, and a Young men.
The discovery of their bodies was announced last year.
