Villa of Diomedes

The Villa of Diomedes is one of the largest Roman villas at Pompeii, spanning 3,500 sq m across three levels cascading toward the ancient coastline. Excavated between 1771 and 1775, it was among the earliest buildings uncovered at Pompeii and became a celebrated Grand Tour destination. Named after Marcus Arrius Diomedes whose tomb stands opposite, the villa featured a peristyle courtyard, formal gardens with a central triclinium, and a reflecting pool. Near the service door, archaeologists found victims carrying a gold ring, silver key, and 1,356 sesterces, evidence of desperate flight during the 79 AD eruption.