Roman luxury

History records Roman Empire as being ambitious, eager for new conquers, highly cultural (although they were following the Greek model), well organized, with a great taste in construction and art, but mostly very interested in grandiloquence and luxuries. The Coliseum and other constructions are standing proofs of all the things mentioned above. Usually the powerful, noble and wealthy families spend their money in villas that still leaves people with their mouth open when they discover the relics. In downtown Rome, a late 16th-century building housing the offices of the Lazio region, near the Roman Forum, was used as the site of an archeological expedition initiated by Palazzo Valentini in 2005. The two opulent villas and private thermal baths excavated will be opened to public starting Saturday. The ruins were restored and together with a 3-D reconstruction that offers a virtual tour of the luxurious residences will attract many tourists interested to see some of the Roman remains, eager to get in touch with history. The 19,375-square-foot complex, dating from the second to fourth centuries, features well-preserved mosaic and marble floors, bathtubs and collapsed walls is believed to have been the residences of rich and noble families. According to archaeologist Paola Valentini there must have been living knights or senators. Furthermore, she added that besides the families of senators and servants, the villas included libraries, halls, gardens, kitchens and stables. For the people that already booked a ticket or are thinking to visit it, they will be expected by glass catwalks above the villas' underground remains, immersed in semidarkness just a few feet from the modern city, and a 3-D virtual reconstruction recreating the elaborate decorations of the ancient residences through colored lights and projections. There is nothing stopping you to visit and it will worth every dime. Go ahead and enjoy. Merry Christmas to you all!

related story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071220/ap_on_re_eu/italy_roman_luxury;_ylt=AuJ8D5tFr3tlCrwYFNJQp1Ws0NUE

by Claudia Sonea for PocketNews (http://pocketnews.tv)

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Edited by Iveta Nagyova