Untitled 1
VILLA ADRIANA by MARINA DE FRANCESCHINI

LATIN LIBRARY



Similar to the Greek Library

©MarinaDeFranceschini - Progetto Accademia

15 – LATIN LIBRARY

Description
The Latin Library had the same structure of the Greek Library (n. 14), with two large quadrangular halls covered by cross vaults, plus other rooms.
Two steps lead into hall BL1, which had two niches on the sides BL1a and BL1c, plus a niche in the back wall with a window opening on the inner hall BL3, as in the Greek Library.

BIBLIOTECA LATINA veduta.png

The Latin Library

Corridors BL2 and BL4 gave access to the second large hall, BL3 which had an apse at with a base for a sculpture and remains of frescoes.
 As in the Greek Library, this room was visible right from the entrance through the window of the BL1b niche.  


BIBLIOTECA LATINA nicchia fondo detail.png
Axial view

On the west side, two doors gave access to the portico A-B-C which connected the two Libraries.
Two other symmetrical doors on the west side gave access to the other rooms of the building, two of which had apses, to connect the orientation of the Latin Library with the different one of the Courtyard of the Libraries. It could be reached with few steps, and from there the Imperial Palace was accessed.

In BL18 there is a two-seat latrine that served both Libraries. 
Only partially accessible to the public.


BIBLIOTECA LATINA latrina.png
Two seater latrine

Function and Meaning
The Latin Library had opus sectile pavements, and a few fragments restored fragments remain in situ. Therefore it belonged to the noble and imperial quarters of the Villa. The two-seater latrine confirms this destination.
The walls have the holes of the nails of the marble revetment.

The name Latin Library is obviously fictitious and was created to distinguish this building from the nearby Greek Library (n. 14). 
The two buildings were named Libraries in the sixteenth century by Pirro Ligorio, who thought that the rectangular niches could contain papyri and manuscripts. He called them them "Greek" and "Latin" simply because they were two.

Actually in the niches there there are no traces of shelves. 
According to Filippo Coarelli, the Libraries could be two summer triclinia, because they were oriented towards the north. But this is not very likely, since there is no place for a stibadium, which was found instead in all the other triclinia identified in the Villa.
Finally, according to Kähler, the Libraries resemble the Vitruvian turres of the Villas, a sort of Propyilae, and this is perhaps the most convincing idea. 

The two Libraries probably were two monumental atria decorated with statues, which marked the access to the private quarters of the Villa for those coming from the north. An imposing building, a symbol of imperial luxury and wealth.
As in the Greek Library, a series of rooms with irregular shape served to compensate the different orientation of the building and of the Courtyard of the Libraries.

SEE: Marina De Franceschini, Villa Adriana. Mosaici, pavimenti, edifici, 1991,  Latin Library pp. 83-92 e 386-390. 


Villa Adriana - Progetto Accademia
©2023-24 Marina De Franceschini
www.rirella-editrice.com

e-Mail: rirella.editrice@gmail.com
VILLA ADRIANA di Marina De Franceschini

Home  |   Privacy  |  Cookies  | nPress Admin


ennegitech web e social marketing
Sviluppato da E-TECH su nPress 2404