Villa

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A villa was a large country house in ancient Rome, which could range from a modest farmhouse to a luxurious estate. Villas were often self-sufficient, with farms, workshops, and slave quarters.

Wealthy Romans used their villas as retreats from city life, enjoying the countryside while managing agricultural estates.

The Villa of the Papyri in Herculaneum is one of the most famous examples. It contained a vast library of scrolls, art, and gardens, reflecting the wealth and cultural interests of its owner, likely the father-in-law of Julius Caesar, Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus.

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