UN CORTEO MARINO NELLE LATRINE. PROPOSTA DI RICOSTRUZIONE DI UN SOFFITTO DIPINTO DALLA VILLA DI MARINA DI SAN NICOLA (LADISPOLI)

Abstract

This paper outlines the results of research conducted from 2015 to 2016 on the fragments of a painted flat
ceiling recovered during excavations of the Villa of Marina di San Nicola near Ladispoli. The reconstruction
revealed a decoration on a white background divided into two separate zones, each with a different
framework: a southern area revolving around a central circular motif, embellished with vegetal and animal
elements; a northern area characterized by symmetric circular and linear bands organized according to diagonal
and vertical axes. The style, motifs and colour palette of the decoration belongs to a tradition of the
so-called Linear Style which was developed between the end of the second and the first half of the third
century AD, a dating perfectly in line with a substantial phase of restoration of the villa which had prompted
the decoration of the ceiling analysed in this paper.