QUEEN'S VILLA

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 121, 9 February 1940, Page 6

QUEEN'S VILLA

CLEOPATRA IN ROME Ruins of what archaeologists believe was the villa Julius Caesar provided for Cleopatra when the Egyptian queen came to Rome nearly 2000 years ago have been found by workmen grading banks of the River Tiber (says a correspondent of the 'Christian Science Monitor'). Elaborate frcscoes and mosaics, stucco drains, pieces of marble, foundations of temples and even whole rooms were among the evidences of splendid ancient structures unearthed in preparation for Rome's universal exposition of 1942. When these archaeological finds came to light, scholars took charge of the excavating and something of the story told by the frescoes has been pieced together by Miss Amy Bernardy, Italian licturer. These frescoes, in which gaily decorated boats sailed seas alive with dolphin, octopus and other marine life, indicated these ruins were of the Gardens* of Caesar, a mile outside the walls of Ancient Rome. Caesar brought the Queen of the Nile to Rome betveen 48 and 46" B.C. as a hostage. Elaborate dwellings were built for her, .or commandeered, on the banks of the Tiber. Apparently, she lived in luxurv. There were frescoed rooms with heating apparatus, baths and temples. Remnants of glassware and pottery lamps were found, with images of racial, national or local divinities. One entire room from Cleopatra's supposed dwelling has been transported to the Termcs Museum in Rome.