The Villa of the Papyri at Herculaneum: Archaeology, Reception, and Digital Reconstruction

Mantha Zarmakoupi

Walter de Gruyter, 2010 - Dwellings - 221 pages

The Villa of the Papyri is a unique archaeological site and has been very influential in the field of classical studies. The papyri (the only intact library to survive from Greco-Roman antiquity) and bronze sculptures found in the villa have contributed to our knowledge of the ancient world and the villa has become for us the "ideal model" of Roman luxury villa culture.
This volume brings together papers delivered by experts in various fields addressing the cultural significance of this ancient site in its contemporary Roman context as well as its cultural reception from its discovery over two hundred and fifty years ago to the most recent excavations in the late twentieth century. They also explore the ways in which digital archaeology can assist our efforts to understand and investigate ancient sites. Topics treated include the Villa's architecture, decoration, and content (i.e., wall-paintings, sculptures, and papyri); their reception since the 18th century; and the current state of knowledge based on the recent partial excavations in the Villa, presented here in English for the first time. Furthermore, the use of digital models of the Villa that incorporate the data from the new excavations and a discussion on the ways in which such models may be used for educational and research purposes are also presented.

Contents

• New Archaeological Research at the Villa of the Papyri in Herculaneum: 21
• Wall Paintings in the Villa of the Papyri Old and New Finds: 63
• Programming Sculpture? Collection and Display in the Villa of the Papyri: 79
• Who Lived in the Villa of the Papyri at Herculaneum A Settled Question?: 89
• The Books of the Villa of the Papyri: 115
• Recreating the Villa of the Papyri in Malibu: 129
• Discovering the Villa of the Papyri in the 18th century: 139
• rebirthing the Villa of the Papyri: 155
• The virtual reality digital model of the Villa of the Papyri project: 181
• Backmatter: 195

About the author

Mantha Zarmakoupi, Freie Universität Berlin.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Villa of the Papyri at Herculaneum: Archaeology, Reception, and Digital Reconstruction; Volume 1 of Sozomena (Berlin); Volume 1 of Sozomena (Berlin, Germany); Volume 1 of Sozomena / Studies in the Recovery of Ancient Texts; Issue 1 of Sozomena : studies in the recovery of ancient texts
• Editor: Mantha Zarmakoupi
• Contributor: Mantha Zarmakoupi
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Walter de Gruyter, 2010
• ISBN: 311020388X, 9783110203882
• Length: 221 pages