The West Block
The West Court
Dominating the West Block is a space simply referred to as the West Court. Although the entire court is now buried underground, much of the space would have been open to the sky above. At least part of the court would have been covered, as evidenced by the ruins of three inner collonades running parallel to the walls of the court. An essential part of all Roman homes was the Peristylium, an open courtyard and garden area used to bring in natural light. The West Court likely served the same function as a Peristylium, but on a much grander scale. The court would have been filled with plants and statues, as well as an impressive fountain running along its center.
A view from the West Court to the South. The upper window would have provided light to the rooms adjoining the court
The Nymphaeum Suite
The arched ceiling of the East room of the Nymphaeum Suite
Detail of Odysseus and Polyphemus
The Nymphaeum Suite is composed of the rooms to the east of the West Court. The room connected to the court was actually the largest room in the Esquiline Wing. Farther to the east is an artificial grotto, decorated in an effort to bring the outdoors in. The term Nymphaeum refers to monuments dedicated to nymphs, mythical creatures closely associated with springs. Appropriately, the Nymphaeum Suite would have contained numerous fountains, which also served to bring fresh water to the residence.
Looking East in the Northeast corner of the West Block