In Torre Annunziata, on the slopes of Vesuvius and a short distance from Pompeii, lies one of the most fascinating and least-known sites of Vesuvian archaeology: Oplontis.
It is known to many for the presence of the famous Villa A, believed to have belonged to Emperor Nero’s second wife, Poppea Sabina. But few are aware of another extremely important villa, Villa B, which was also destroyed during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Discovered just a few meters from Villa Poppea, it likely belonged to Lucius Crassius Tertius.
This villa has recently been providing archaeologists with invaluable new insights into the population that lived in the Vesuvian area shortly before the catastrophic eruption of 79 AD. Let’s explore them together!
Oplontis: A Roman City by the Sea
Unlike its large, commercial neighbor Pompeii, Oplontis, before the catastrophic eruption of Vesuvius, was a suburban center connected to Pompeii, characterized by various residential and industrial structures.
The relationship with the sea must have been particularly important here, as research has shown that during the Roman era, the coastline was much closer to the structures than it appears today.
This fact is also key to understanding the function of Villa B, which has characteristics very different from those of the nearby Villa A, the famous Villa of Poppea.
In fact, while the Villa of Poppea was a sumptuous aristocratic residence, famous for its monumental rooms and extraordinary frescoes,
Villa B served a decidedly more practical purpose. It was used for processing agricultural products, such as wine and olive oil. This is further evidenced by the presence of numerous storage rooms discovered during the excavations, as well as amphorae and materials related to the preservation and distribution of agricultural products.
Crassius’ Villa B
Villa della B was laid out around a large porticoed courtyard and comprised numerous rooms arranged on two levels. The lower level was used for storage, while the upper level served as living quarters.
In fact, during the excavations, not only was an exceptional quantity of amphorae and tools used for commercial activities discovered, but also coins and jewelry. Moreover, Villa B is also known to many for the famous Oplonti gold artifacts that were found inside a safe in the villa itself.
It was a residence used by Crassius as a place where production, storage, trade, and living intertwined.
Environment 10 and the Latest Discoveries
It is precisely at Villa B that recent studies and investigations have led to the discovery of one of the most dramatic accounts of the eruption of Vesuvius.
In Room 10, one of the large rooms on the southern side of the complex, the remains of people who had sought refuge during the eruption were found.
Initially, 54 bodies were identified, but new investigations have determined that the number of victims was higher than previously recognized: 64 individuals.
This is one of the most important discoveries for understanding the human dimension of the tragedy at Oplontis.
These people were not in Room 10 to carry out their daily activities. However, the archaeological reconstruction suggests that they had taken refuge in the room in an attempt to escape the eruption, likely also seeking a possible escape route toward the sea, as was the case for the numerous fugitives found in the arcades of Herculaneum.
In fact, Site 10 was located in an area in front of what must have been the harbor or at least an area directly connected to the ancient coastline.
These individuals had taken refuge there seeking shelter and escape, hoping to be rescued, but it was there that they met their deaths when the pyroclastic flow arrived, as was the case for many victims of the eruption.
What Did the People of Oplontis Eat?
Recent studies have also focused on the diet of the ancient inhabitants of Oplontis.
It was not composed entirely of fish, as one might assume given Villa B’s proximity to the sea.
In fact, the studies have shown that the diet of the inhabitants of Oplontis was primarily based on plant-based foods, especially grains (such as barley and wheat) and legumes. And on small amounts of meat.
This is perhaps the most intriguing finding to emerge from the new research.
Fish played a marginal role in the diet, despite the complex’s extraordinary proximity to the coast.
Scholars highlight this apparent paradox: one might have expected a significant seafood component, yet the analyses indicate a diet dominated by land-based resources.
