The discovery of a Roman mansio in the heart of Sicily

Miliarius.
Travel,discover, know.
The discovery of a Roman mansio in the heart of Sicily
Parco Archeologico della Villa Romana del Casale
e delle aree archeologiche di Piazza Armerina
e dei Comuni limitrofi
Miliarius
Travel, discover, know
A series of routes within the Territory by
Giada Cantamessa
ONCE UPON A TIME PHILOSOPHIANA
The discovery of a Roman mansio in the heart of Sicily
by
Giada Cantamessa
Material by
Flavio R.G. Mela
REGIONE SICILIANA
Assessorato dei Beni Culturali e dell’Identità Siciliana
Dipartimento Regionale dei Beni Culturali e dell’Identità Siciliana
2013
Miliarius Travel, discover, know .
A series of routes within the Territory by
Giada Cantamessa
ONCE UPON A TIME PHILOSOPHIANA
The discovery of a Roman mansio in the heart of Sicily
Copyright ©2013 Regione Siciliana
Assessorato dei Beni Culturali e Identità Siciliana
Dipartimento Regionale dei Beni Culturali e Identità Siciliana
Parco Archeologico della Villa Romana del Casale
e delle aree archeologiche di Piazza Armerina
e dei Comuni limitrofi
www.regione.sicilia.it/beniculturali - www.villaromanadelcasale.it
Once upon a time Philosophiana : the discovery of a Roman mansio in
the heart of Sicily / by Giada Cantamessa ; material by Flavio R.G. Mela. Palermo : Regione siciliana, Assessorato dei beni culturali e dell’identità
siciliana, Dipartimento dei beni culturali e dell’identità siciliana, 2013.
– Ebook
(Miliarius : travel, discover, know)
ISBN 978-88-6164-246-1
1. Sofiana <Mazzarino>. I. Cantamessa, Giada. II. Mela, Flavio R.G.
937.82143 CDD-22
SBN Pal0262453
CIP – Biblioteca centrale della Regione siciliana “Alberto Bombace”
General Coordination
Guido Meli – Direttore del Parco Archeologico
Series by
Giada Cantamessa
Project of the cultural route, research and editing material
Flavio R.G. Mela
Translations
Cettina Sambataro
Graphic design, graphic project and layout
Manuele R. Pennisi
Drawings
Andrea Orto
Initial research were supported by
Selz Foundation - New York
The routes and studies have been developed within
the Project
Wine of Polyphemus, funded by the Ministero per i
Beni e le Attività Culturali – L.77/2006
Special measures of protection and fruition of the
Italian sites
of cultural, landscape and environment, included in
the “ World
Heritage List “, placed under the protection of UNES
5
“Travel, like dreams, is a door that
opens from the real world into a
world that is yet
to be discovered”
Guy de Maupassant
Introduction
Archaeological Park of the Villa Romana
del Casale
The Archaeological Park of the Villa Romana
del Casale, Institute of Regional Department of
Culture and Sicilian Identity, includes the territory
of the town of Piazza Armerina, with the exception
of some archeological districts, where, at north,
the pre-greek and roman settings located on the
of Mountain of March, at south the Roman statio
Soﬁana. Rich with historical and cultural layers
that have occurred over the centuries, the territorial
area that identiﬁes it as a vast open-air museum
focuses on the reality of the monumental Villa del
Casale; an important agricultural and commercial
island late antiquity, and today, an example of
immeasurable artistic value.
Its architecture, the intense relationship with light,
the natural landscape, the surrounding agriculture,
murals and mosaics, which ﬁll most part of the
environment; visually reveal, better than any oral
history, the multicultural nature of the site that
hosts it. The interaction between the traveler and
the territory becomes the premise to take paths
that preserve and hand down an identity rooted in
time. All these inﬂuences, marked by the creative
activity of workers with different ethnicities, from
Northern Africa to Asia Minor undertook
a journey through routes and common
roads, created the heterogeneous
artistic repertoire that the Roman
residence still keeps.
The
Archaeological Park of the Villa
Romana del Casale is revealed
through the stories of its land,
inviting those who comes along
to linger and question it. Many of
those who arrived in the heart of
Sicily, between the XVIII and XIX
century, like the geologist Dolomieu or
the poet Von Platen, were fascinated by
the landscapes of this land, they wrote notes
of true astonishment in their diaries, consecrating
a travel destination and place of retreat for the
leisurely spirit of every man.
The official administrative headquarters of the
Archaeological Park of the Villa Romana del
Casale is the Palazzo Trigona Floresta, a noble
palace, located in the historical center of Piazza
Armerina, built between the XVII and XVIII century
by the same family whose name it bears.
ONCE UPON A TIME
PHILOSOPHIANA
The discovery of a Roman mansio in the
heart of Sicily
“Once upon a time Philosophiana” is a journey to
discover the mansio of Soﬁana, in the territory of
Mazzarino (CL). Through the historic events of the
archaeological site it is possible to reconstruct the
framework of the socio-economic “revolution”,
essential and profound, which led to Sicily
being the home of the big landowners during the
late antiquity.
Ancient origins, dating back to the Bronze Age,
Soﬁana was a frequented area for many centuries.
During the Augustan age, it became a rich and
important urban center, located along the road
that joined Catania and Agrigento.
In late antiquity, the center of Soﬁana underwent
considerable changes and replaced the village with
the Roman mansio, a shelter place for travelers.
Marked by the traces of the early christian
tradition of Sicily, the area had a story to tell for the
subsequent centuries up to the age of Frederick II.
For any further information:
Archaeological Park of the Villa Romana del Casale and
archaeological sites of Piazza Armerina
and the neighboring towns.
Palazzo Trigona della Floresta - Piazza Duomo, 20 - 94015
Piazza Armerina
tel. +39 0935-687667 - fax +39 0935-687362
Website: www.villaromanadelcasale.it
E-mail: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com / villaromanadelcasale
Twitter: @VillaRdelCasale
7
In the following path uses a number of symbols that, through metaphorical
representations, facilitates the identification of the subject matter that we
deal with in the depth charts.
Legend of the icons
:
Increase of archeology
:
Open air activities
:
Contact Information
:
Myths and legends
:
Special activities
:
Museums
:
Road information
:
Focus on the natural aspects
:
Tips for the traveler
:
Panoramic glimpse views of the landscape
:
Historical chronicles
:
Popular traditions
:
From classical sources, the voice of the ancient
8
How to get to Piazza Armerina
from the Fontanarossa-Catania airport > motorway A19 exit Dittaino > direction Valguarnera > Piazza Armerina
from the Punta Raisi-Palermo and Trapani-Birgi airports > motorway A19 exit Enna > direction Pergusa > Piazza Armerina
from Gela > road 117 bis > Piazza Armerina
The Villa Romana del Casale is located about 5 km from the city of Piazza Armerina, from which it can also be reached by
shuttle bus during the summer months.
Trapani
Messi
Mess
Messina
Pale
Palermo
Marsala
Caltanissetta
Enna
C
Catania
Villa Romana del Casale Piazza Armerina
Agrigen
gent
ento
ent
Ragusa
Siracusa
1
ONCE UPON A TIME
PHILOSOPHIANA
The discovery of a Roman mansio
in the heart of Sicily
Piazza Armerina
SP16
1ºst path From
Piazza Armerina South
to Sofiana
Distance in kilometers
from Piazza Armerina:
about 11 km
From Piazza Armerina.
Exit Piazza Armerina
south along viale Libertà, proceeding in the
direction of
Strada Statale 117bis.
Take the exit toward SP/
Colla and proceed on
Strada Provinciale 89b.
Continue,
along the Strada Provinciale 25. At about 6
km, turn right to stay on
the Strada Provinciale
25. Along the route a
bridge is reported. The
archaeological site of
Sofiana is easily identifiable thanks to the information panel located on
site.
Car and motorcycle. Yes.
Public transport. No.
Mountain bike or racing bike. Yes, equipping
the vehicle with warning
lights.
Villa Romana del Casale
Ancient settlement of Philosophiana
Early christian Basilica
extra moenia
ONCE UPON A TIME
PHILOSOPHIANA
The discovery of a Roman mansio
in the heart of Sicily
Piazza Armerina
SP16
Villa Romana del Casale
Woad of the river
Gela
Ancient settlement of
Philosophiana
Early christian
Basilica extra moenia
2ºnd path
From the
Villa Romana del Casale to
Sofiana
Distance in kilometers
from Piazza Armerina:
about 14 km
From the Villa Romana
del Casale.
Along the road that
leads from the Villa
Romana del Casale
again
on
Strada
Provinciale 15, turn left
at the fork, proceeding
towards Barrafranca. At
about
3.5 km, turn left, on to
a dirt path. At the first
fork, go left and stay
on the same side at the
second intersection and
coming down to a ford
of the river Gela.
USE
EXTREME
CAUTION crossing of
the river, avoiding it in
case of rain.
Go up and reunited with
the Strada Provinciale
25, continue on the right.
At about 6 km, turn right
and stay on the SP
25. Along the route a
bridge is reported. The
archaeological
site
of Sofiana is easily
identifiable thanks to
the information panel
located on site.
Car and motorcycle. No.
Public transport. No.
Mountain bike or racing
bike.
Yes,
equipping
the
vehicle with warning
lights.
Hiking on horseback.
Yes.
12
Estates of Sicily
A socio-economic reality of Sicily in Late
Antiquity
Possessores and settlers.
During the IIIrd and IVth century A.D., Sicily became
again one of the largest lands to export cereal products,
supplanting the grain trade from Egypt, now diverted to
the territories of the Roman Empire. The island’s role as
a bridge, between Italy and the regions of Proconsolaree
Africa,was restored, and the Tripolitania, which facilitated,
in a incisive way, the trade between the two continents.
The favorable economic situation of Sicily attracted the
interest of some members of the senatorial rank, coming
from Rome and the western provinces, called possessores,
who acquired the administration of large estates in Sicily.
In particular, they used to control and manage the
agricultural activities of their possessions, living in large
country houses in certain periods of the year.
A valuable late antique
residence in the
heart of Sicily.
Belonging to a member of the
senatorial Roman or, in other
cases, built or expanded on
direct imperial patronage, the
Villa Romana del Casale is
considered among the finest
examples of late antique houses
of the West Roman Empire. The
compositional richness of the
ornate mosaics that decorate the
rooms and open space porches,
brings one back to the stylistic
ability and the issues discussed,
the bonds that joined the
workers of North Africa to Sicily,
marking a milestone of their
travels in the Mediterranean.
The villa, dating from the fourth
century A.D., is located on a
rural villa, built between the
first and second half of the third
century A.D. and aimed at a rich
agricultural production activities
based on cereals from the mass
of Sofiana, the estate belonged
to the rich residence of Casale.
Divided into service areas, with
floors decorated with geometric
mosaics, and areas of residence
or representation. The building
of late antiquity, in the dynamism
of its architecture that unfolds
on three large terraces, became
the scene of an intellectual
exercise and power, which was
expressed in the activity of
otium, negotium and officium.
2
While it was the dwelling place
for contemplation and serenity
of his dominus, acquitted the
other functions of political and
administrative center, the very
heart of power.
In the Byzantine period and
early Middle Ages (V-VII century
A.D.), Late Roman structures
arose a rural village which
changed the initial setting of
the Roman villa, transforming
it into a fortified settlement.
The different purposes of use
continued to vary through the
centuries, until the destruction
took place during the second
half of the twelfth century, which
was followed by a long period
of total abandon, between
the fourteenth and fifteenth
centuries, by the construction of
an agricultural settlement built
on its ruins. Migration from rural
inland and floods obliterated
the historical memory of the old
village, until its rediscovery in
the nineteenth century, with the
beginning of some excavations
that, even today, affect other
areas of this archaeological site.
Info
Download the guide and the
mini guide of the
Villa Romana del Casale of
www.villaromanadelcasale.it
13
3
Because of the lack of slave labor, the whole system
was based large landed the use of the “coloni”,
or the division of the extensive territorial funds
in productive cells entrusted to free peasants or
tenants of the possessores. The settlers lived on a
farm or rural villages, which where, at times placed
to archaeological investigations have brought to
light some examples of prestigious residences that
were distributed on the island territory, such as the
Villa Romana del Casale. Buried in the complex
functionality of their spaces, these beautiful
residences possessed all the necessary amenities
along major roads, so they could perform the
function of real post stations.
to accommodate the dominus and his family, whose
were destined private and confidential areas. The
structure of the villa was characterized also by
the presence of public spaces or representation
areas, finding maximum expression in the basilica,
through which the owner could administer the
properties, affairs and his guests. Commonly, the
Late Roman villa was divided into pars urbana and
pars rustica. The first was dedicated to the residence
and activities of the owner of the villa. The second
counted environments for agricultural activities,
such as warehouses and barns, housing of the
familia and the factor. The villas are often enriched
by thermal areas or fine gardens or viridaria, treated
with the ars topiaria . Outside the walls of the
residence, the land area was intended for the the
dominus hunting, called septum venationis, and
areas for breeding animals reserved for the master’s
table. Inside the late antique residential villas
worked the whole family of the dominus, a term
that at the time indicated the peasant-serves of the
possessor, placed under the supervision of a servus
vilicus, also said actor. In the management of the
activities of the Villa, the landowner was supported
by the procurator, a freedman, or a freed slave
from the patron. In particular this figure primarily
worked to impose jobs to the settlers, to fulfill the
tax obligations and provide to the administration of
certain areas of the property, such as warehouses,
baths or wells.
Massa, mansio, vicus.
The largest estates or massae of the center of
Sicily, between the IIIrd and IVth century A.D., were
located along the road from Agrigento to Catania,
perfectly highlighted in the ancient cartographic
work of the Itinerarium Antonini. They quote, in fact,
from west to east, Corconiana, Petiliana, Calloniana,
Philosophiana and Capitoniana, whose names took
origin from original owners of the nobility. Commonly
for each massa corresponded, a mansio, a structure
equipped to accommodate and provide everything
travelers needed, often identified as imperial
officials or members of the military environment.
The mansio was commonly characterized from
an entrance courtyard, numerous bedrooms and
spacious stables, but, over the time, they also built
taverns and shops, as well as efficient thermal
complexes. A mansio could become a small
village, called vicus. The mansio of the massa of
Philosophiana, to which also belonged to the Villa
Romana del Casale, it has been identified in the
archaeological site of the Sofiana district, near the
city of Mazzarino.
The Late Antiquity villas : the heart of the estates.
One of the most representative estates of the
system of late antiquity was the villa. In Sicily , thanks
14
4a
15
4b
16
Once upon a time Philosophiana
The discovery of a Roman mansio in the
heart of Sicily
Called by the peasants “Pitrusa”, the area of the
archaeological site of Sofiana is abutted on the south side
of the Gela river, who, after having passed the south side of
the Villa Romana del Casale, continues its course towards
the Mediterranean Sea, melting into a winding path
between the mountains Navone and Alzacuda. To the north
of the area of Sofiana stands, besides the aforementioned
Mount Navone, including Mount Manganello and again, to
the east, the hills of Budonetto and Finocchio and on the
southern part, the sweet Salveria slope.
Along the road that leads to Sofiana, the landscape is
colored with different “shades” of agricultural production,
heirs to a rich and flourishing tradition. Orchards, olive
groves and vineyards alternating flat and vast fields of
wheat, whose rich biological properties are guaranteed
by a fertile land and a substantial amount of water from
different sources. Among these, the most important, and
especially closer to the archaeological site, are those of
Margi Rosso and Val Canonico to the south west of the
ancient town. Thanks to the extraordinary strength of its
land, its possible that Sofiana has been chosen as the
cradle of civilization for a very long period, between the
Bronze Age and the Middle Ages.
A name,
a certainty.
5
Called by some scholars
Gela sive Philosophianis,
the statio of Philosophiana
has been identified with
the
archaeological
site
near Mazzarino much for
similarity with the place
names of the district, called
precisely “Sofiana”, but for
the presence of brick stamps
bearing the mark with the
words PHIL SOF.
Regarding the origin of the
name, historical research
concluded
from
whom
Philosophiana
derives,
most likely, from the first
owner of the estate, which
would belong to the title of
Philosophus, which, between
the IIIrd and VIth centuries
A.D., designated to high-rank
personality.
At the edge
of the mass
of Philosophiana.
According to scholars, the
estate of Philosophiana,
adjacent to the one of
Calvisiana, was composed
of approximately 15,000
hectares.
The
perimeter
would be bordered by the
rivers in the area. In particular,
from the Porcheria river,
name of a stretch of the Gela
river, and the stream Piazza
Armerina, respectively, at
south-west and north-west.
To these
were added Passa Lasagna
and della Gatta streams in
the South-East and streams
and della Gatta and Molino
Grande to the North-East.
17
6
18
7
19
A long history
From the Bronze Age to the Greek Age.
The oldest archaeological area Sofiana were
recovered below the lower layer of some areas of
the Roman era, brought to light during the 50s.
These are two stone axes and pottery shards bluish
Castellucciana, attributable, therefore, to a phase of
the Bronze Age in Sicily (2200 B.C. - 1400 B.C.).
Later, studies in archeology, following the discovery
of some ancient relics, have hypothesized that
Sofiana had accepted in its territory a settlement
of the Archaic period, dating from the VIth century
B.C. The second half of the IVth century B.C., other
ceramic materials in shiny black paint suggested
the presence of farms, typical of the Timoleonte
period of which different tracks remain in the Gela
hinterland. Finally, in the area of the Roman baths,
have been surrendered by excavations some coins
of the years of Hiero II, tyrant of Syracuse 270-215
B.C.
In the shadow of Rome, from city to a statio.
Thanks to the discovery of different numismatic
material, its possible to reconstruct a history of the
Roman site Sofiana that began at the Republican
age.
The golden age of the population actually goes
back, however, at the age of Augustus. Indeed,
according to the hypothesis of some studies, the
8
establishment of Sofiana was involved in that policy
Imperial reforms of the early Ist century A.D., that to
encourage the wheat harvest and collection of
tributes from Sicily, was the architect of the birth
and restructuring of several urban realities. The
center of Sofiana became, therefore, a rich and
blooming reality, thanks to its role as the center of
collection of agricultural products and its location
along the road that wound its way between Catania
and Agrigento, two of the most important ports of
the time. The town, whose spaces were organized
into a regular basis, was crossed by roads paved
with flagstones and bounded by walls, beyond
which were localized different cemeteries, used in
a period between the I and the VIIth century A.D.
When Egypt again assumed the role of “granary”
of Rome, Sicily lost its commercial hegemony in
the center of the Mediterranean, and many of the
housing districts, which lived routes of the grain
market of the island, slowly began to decay. The
town of Sofiana, in addition to being involved in
this general crisis, was subject to a lot more sinister,
suffering a severe destruction during the last
decades of the IIIrd century A.D..
The fate of the city center was linked to that of the
Villa Romana del Casale, which, at that historic
juncture, still had the “appearance” of a country
manor.
20
9
21
The domus
Sofiana.
Over the stretch of road and some areas identified
as shops, on the northern side of Sofiana of the
archaeological area a Roman domus was found, dated to
a period prior to the IIIrd century A.D.. We can recognize
the outline of the home by the colonnade of the peristyle,
around which are distributed three bedrooms, perhaps
cubicula. Part of the floor decoration is still visible and
consists of an earthenware dotted with roses in white tiles,
around which meander draws a frame. Very characteristic
is the fountain next door, where the water came from the
source of Mount Alzacuda.
Roman funerary
rituals in Sofiana
.
In the necropolis of Sofiana, it is attested, for the burial,
the typical Roman Rite, widespread throughout the
Mediterranean. In the funeral, it can be found, in fact,
objects that would address the ritual of refrigerium vessels
used for drinking or eating and lamps. Other times coins
have been found, symbolically used as offerings for
Charon, the ferryman of the Underworld.
10
22
After a difficult moment, for the behest of the owner of
the fundus, the two archaeological sites, during the IVth
century A.D., lived a moment of rebirth, so to Sofiana you
founded a statio, while in the Casale became the current
aristocratic residence. In addition to being a shelter place
for travelers, Sofiana is assumed to be the station and just
after could have become a market with various activities
and production and also a center for the collection of the
taxes.
Of this period, the archaeological excavations, which took
place during 1954, identified a structure characterized by
twentyfour environments, of which, the most western,
were part of a thermal complex, built on an existing one.
As for the rooms on the eastern side, scholars found a
specific function, but, thanks to the presence of stairs, it
is what should be assumed to be the upper floors.
From the Vth to the XIIIth century.
In 365 A.D. a serious occurrence upset the tranquility
of the roman statio of Sofiana, destroyed by a terrible
earthquake, whose signs have also been detected in
the facilities of the Villa Romana del Casale. But the place
was not completely abandoned. In spite of
the disaster, between the end of the IVth and Vth centuries
A.D., the settlement took an active role
in the production, given the presence of kilns within the
thermal complex. At the same period is dated a little early
christian basilica, two of which apses belong, included in
the calidarium of the thermal baths. And again, it was built,
in the same year, another early christian basilica, placed
on a hill in the extreme south-west of the settlement.
The numismatic material of Sofiana is so rich and varied
that can testify with certainty the attendance of the
archaeological site until the period between the XIIth
and XIIIth century. In the Frederick II age, the population
of Sofiana moved to the city of Mazzarino, abandoning
definitively that ancient inhabited area.
11
23
Visit to the
thermal
complex
of the
IVth
century A.D..
At the thermal complex statio of Sofiana, dated on
the IVth century A.D., the entrance was placed to
the east, underlined by the presence of two pillars
(1). At the same way, another space (2), placed in the
direction of the domus at north of the archaeological
site, held the same function. Once inside, you
could be greeted by a large entrance, a rectangular
architectual drawing (3).
12
According to a reconstruction, this room led, through
two rooms on the right (4), to a large rectangular
chamber (5), probably served as a apodytherium
(dressing room), given the presence of a stone
bench extended along the entire perimeter of the
room. The same tipe of stone bench characterized
also in the two tanks (6), about one meter deep,
presumably used for foot baths.
From the area of the apodytherium (changing
rooms) , the visitor could then start the classic bath
ritual. Passing from laconicum (7), or the sweating
hot room, then, you can proceeded to the caldarium
(8), for the hot bath, until you reach the tepidarium
(10) after that you pass a hall (9). In both rooms you
can find out the traces of the hypocàustum system,
used to heat spaces and obtained through the
channeling of hot air in cavitys under the floor and
in the walls. Finally, going back in the passage room,
then you could go towards the entrance hall and
from there to frigidarium (11) for the cold bathroom,
which the structure is maintained, in addition to a
bench, and the steps to descend.
13
24
6
6
5
7
4
8
2
4
3
1
9
10
11
25
14
Catina-Agrigentum,
a road of
Itinerarium
Antonini
26
To the north of the Roman residence, its still visible in the
archaeological site of Sofiana, are located the remains of
the road Itinerarium Antonini, which connected Catania
with Agrigento, and along which stood the mansio. But
what was the circuit of this road junction? Even today,
the entire path has not been identified, but there are
arguments that offer interesting conclusions. The first
hypothesis reconstructs the itinerary Catina-Agrigentum
going through the stages of: Ramacca - Piazza Armerina
- Roman Villa del Casale - Barrafranca (corresponding to
the massa Calloniana) - Sommatino - Naro. Other studies,
which still remain a not proved mere conjecture, suggest
instead a path that could branch out toward Aidone, then
to Morgantina, and then descend in the direction of Piazza
Armerina, where it would depart a short way to the Villa
Romana del Casale. From the Late Antiquity residence, for
five kilometers, the road reached the mansio of Sofiana,
bifurcating, so as to proceed in the direction of Mazzarino
and Naro, or south towards Gela.
Traces of Jewish culture
in Philosophiana.
The thermal baths area has been brought to light in a slab
of sandstone bearing the inscription IOUDAS SABANAS.
The finding is an important historical witness that places
the presence of a Jewish community in the town of Sofiana.
15
27
16
17
28
Caught in a timeless landscape, stands with its ruins
in the ancient christian basilica of Sofiana, located
outside the city walls in the area that extending
from the relief Alzacuda to Val Canononico. To
reach it, you must continue west, in the direction of
Barrafranca / Mazzarino, then head to the left, on a
dirt road. The basilica has an irregular architectural
beginning of the complex from the IVth century A.D.,
based on the findings of a funeral equip, including a
necklace of glass paste and elements in amber, and
in the center, a coin of the Emperor Constantine. To
the same period belong also the crypt with two cells
in the western part of the south aisle.
drawing, but you can well imagine how it could look,
thanks to the immediate identification of the three
naves, apse and prothyron.
In the VIth century A.D., the central nave was
lengthened with walls, built with clay instead of
mortar. During the second half of the VIIth century
A.D., to the basilica architectual drawing, two aisles
were added and, finally, over time, the prothyron
was realized.
The archaeological investigations have found
that not all parts of the structure were built at the
same time. According to some studies, in fact, the
first elements to be fabricated and the apse were
the first part of the nave, about 2 meters in length,
characterized by strong walls, bound with mortar.
It is assumed that these two factors constitute a
martyrium, which has become a later basilica, and
this would explain the presence of the tombs placed
around the apse. The archaeologists have dated the
18
The early christian
basilica
extra moenia.
Around the basilica that covers a large area of the
cemetery, whose graves are more concentrated
behind the apse, in the aisles, in prothyron, along
the outer flanks and in front of the facade of the
structure.
19
29
20
21
Sofiana
at the
Regional
Archaeological
Museum of Gela.
30
Many of the findings from the necropolis of the Sofiana
district are displayed in the windows of the Regional
Archaeological Museum of Gela. The museum collections
count numerous testimonies of the city on the south coast
of Sicily, from prehistoric times to the middle ages. Of
particular relevance are the objects from the Greek and
studies on material taken from the wreck of a Greek ship
found along the coast.
Useful information.
Museo Archeologico Regionale di Gela.
Corso Vittorio Emanuele 1, 93012,
Gela.
Switchboard: + 39 0933 9126 26.
22
Hours Admission to the museum:
every day from 9.00am to 6.30pm.
31
Bibliography
ALBANESE PROCELLI R.M.,
Sicani, Siculi, Elimi,
Milano, Longanesi & C.,
2003.
ADAMESTEANU D.,
Nuovi Documenti Paleocristiani nella
Sicilia centro-meridionale,
in “Bollettino d’Arte”, III,
1963,
pp. 259-274.
BONACASA CARRARA R.M., PANVINI
R. (a cura di),
La Sicilia centro-meridionale tra il II ed il
VI secolo d.C. Catalogo della Mostra, Caltanissetta,
Salvatore Sciascia Editore,
2002.
BONOMI L.,
Cimiteri paleocristiani di Sofiana
(retroterra di Gela),
in “Rivista di Archeologia Cristiana”, XL,
1964, pp. 169-220.
LA TORRE G.F.,
Gela sive Philosophianis (It. Antonini
88,2):
contributo per la storia di un centro
interno della Sicilia romana,
Quaderni dell’Istituto di Archeologia
della Facoltà di Lettere e Filosofia
dell’Università di Messina 9,
1994,
pp. 99-139.
PENSABENE P. - SFAMEMI C. (a cura
di),
Iblatasah Placea Piazza
L’insediamento medievale sulla Villa del
Casale: nuovi e vecchi scavi,
Catalogo Mostra Archeologica,
Piazza Armerina.
SFAMENI C.,
Ville residenziali nell’Italia tardoantica,
Bari, Edipuglia, 2006.
VERA D.,
Aristocrazia romana ed economie
provinciali nell’Italia tardo antica:
il caso siciliano,
<<QC>>, a. X, 19,
1988.
32
Image Captions
1 . Aerial panoramic over Philosophiana
ancient area
( Photo Sinter , from Superintendent
BCA of Enna ) .
2 . Monumental entrance of the Villa
Romana del Casale
(Arch. Fot. Arch. Park of the Villa Romana
del Casale - Photo by F. Mela) .
3 . Overview of the archaeological site of
Philosophiana
(Arch. Fot. Arch. Park of the Villa Romana
del Casale - Photo by F. Mela) .
4.
4a - Inside of the Basilica of the Villa Romana del Casale
(Arch. Fot. Arch. Park of the Villa Romana
del Casale - Photo by F. Mela) .
4b - Portrait of aristocratic roman
woman,
private entrance to the thermal baths ,
Villa Romana del Casale
(Arch. Fot. Arch. Park of the Villa Romana
del
Casale - Photos of M. Noto) .
5. Gela River
(Arch. Fot . Arch. Park of the Villa
Romana del Casale - Photo by F. Mela) .
6. Mount Navone from the district of
Sofiana
(Arch. Fot . Arch. Park of the Villa
Romana del Casale - Photo by F. Mela) .
7 . Ruins of the archaeological site of
Philosophiana. Behind, Mount Alzacuda
(Arch. Fot . Arch Park of the Villa Roma na del Casale - Photo by F. Mela) .
8 . Ruins of the ancient complex of
Philosophiana
(Arch. Fot . Arch. Park of the Villa
Romana del Casale - Photo by F. Mela) .
9 . Ancient areas of the town of
Philosophiana
(Arch. Fot . Arch. Park of the Villa Romana
del Casale - Photo by D. Calabrò ) .
10 . Detail of the decoration of the
flooring in Opus signinum of domus
of Philosophiana
(Arch. Fot . Arch. Park of the Villa
Romana del Casale - Photo by F. Mela) .
11 . Stairs to the upper floors within
of
the
ancient
settlement
Philosophiana
of
(Arch. Fot . Arch. Park of the Villa
Romana del Casale - Photo by F. Mela) .
12 . Entrance to the thermal baths of
Philosophiana
(Arch. Fot . Arch. Park of the Villa
Romana del Casale - Photo by F. Mela) .
13 . Bath , perhaps footbath . Thermal
baths of Philosophiana
(Arch. Fot . Arch. Park of the Villa
Romana del Casale - Photo by F. Mela) .
14. Traces of system hypocáustum
in the thermal bath area of Philosophiana
(Arch. Fot . Arch. Park of the Villa
Romana del Casale - Photo by F. Mela) .
15 . Detail of the layout of the Roman
road within the ancient settlement of
Sofiana
(Arch. Fot . Arch. Park of the Villa
Romana del Casale - Photo by F. Mela) .
16 . Apse of the Early Christian basilica
within the caldarium of the thermal
baths of Philosophiana
(Arch. Fot . Arch. Park of the Villa
Romana del Casale - Photo by F. Mela) .
17. Aerial overview of the Early Christian
basilica outside the city walls of the
district of Sofiana
( Photo Sinter , from Superintendent
BCA Enna ) .
18. Apse area of the Early Christian
basilica outside the city walls of the
district Sofiana
(Arch. Fot . Arch. Park of the Villa
Romana del Casale - Photo by F. Mela) .
19 . Crypt in two cells in the south aisle
the early Christian basilica extra moenia
of the district Sofiana
(Arch. Fot . Arch. Park of the Villa
Romana del
Casale - Photo by F. Mela) .
20 Tomb around the Early Christian
basilica outside the city walls of the
archaeological site of Sofiana
(Arch. Fot . Arch. Park of the Villa
Romana del Casale - Photo by F. Mela) .
21. Prothyron the Early Christian basilica
outside the city walls of the district
ofSofiana
(Arch. Fot . Arch. Park of the Villa
Romana del Casale - Photo by F. Mela) .
22. Front of the Archaeological Regional
Museum of Gela
( Photo by A. Vullo ) .
33
REGIONE SICILIANA
Assessorato dei Beni Culturali e dell’Identità Siciliana
Dipartimento Regionale dei Beni Culturali e dell’Identità Siciliana
2013

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