Tombs of Via Latina

The tombs were discovered in 1857–58 by Lorenzo Fortunati, a teacher who dabbled in archaeology and made money by selling some of the items he found. A series of excavations supported by Pope Pius IX subsequently uncovered various tombs along a short stretch of the road about 6 km southeast of the center of Rome. The area was subsequently expropriated from the Barberini family by the Italian State in 1879. In 1900, further excavations were initiated under the supervision of Rodolfo Lanciani. ==The Archaeological Park==

The park extends for a short distance of 450 m. In addition to the tombs, part of the original basalt surface of the Via Latina is also visible. The tombs are very well preserved. Among the most notable is the Barberini tomb (), named after the former landowners. It has two floors above an underground burial chamber, and is constructed in red and yellow bricks, typical of Roman construction in the area in the mid 2nd century AD. The Barberini sarcophagus with reliefs representing the myths of Protesilaus and Laodamia was discovered here, and is now on display in the Vatican Museum. The tomb was used as a barn in the 8th century, when part of the roof was demolished. Tomb of the Valerii The Tomb of the Valerii (), which dates from the second half of the 2nd century AD, is a notable two-story brick structure. Its name is arbitrary and does not relate to the original occupants of the tomb. The part above ground has been almost entirely reconstructed and is noteworthy for a portico with two columns at the front. Beyond the entrance there is an area open to the sky from where two symmetrical staircases lead to the two underground burial chambers, which were originally richly decorated with slabs of marble. Parco Tombe della Via Latina 11.JPG Parco archeologico delle tombe di via Latina Sepolcro valeri5.jpg Stucchi nella tombe dei Valeri.jpg Parco archeologico delle tombe di via Latina Sepolcro valeri4.jpg Tomb of the Pancratii Only the underground part of the Tomb of the Pancratii () survives, and the tomb is now covered with a modern building. The name comes from an inscription referring to the funerary collegium of the Pancratii, inscribed on a large marble sarcophagus that remains in situ; seven other sarcophagi found here are now in the Vatican Museum. The tomb, dated to the reign of Hadrian (AD 117–138), contains good examples of stucco work and frescoes. The fresco decoration of the underground vault include Jupiter in flight with the eagle, the Judgement of Paris. Prima camera, Sepolcro dei Pancrazi, Parco Archeologico delle Tombe di via Latina.jpg Camera Sepolcrale a stucchi, Sepolcro dei Pancrazi, Parco Archeologico delle Tombe di via Latina.jpg Parco archeologico delle tombe di via Latina Sepolcro dei pancrazi 5.jpg Parco archeologico delle tombe di via Latina Sepolcro dei pancrazi 6.jpg Parco archeologico delle tombe di via Latina Sepolcro dei pancrazi 1.jpg Sepolcropancrazi4.jpg == References ==