The Domus Aeternae

The Roman necropolis

The tendency of the Romans to flaunt their wealth is reflected not only in their houses, but by their funerary structures: tombs for the dead, like houses for the living, would have represented the owner’s social status and wealth.
The necropolis of Agrigentum was positioned under the southern walls and the choice of this area has significant symbolic significance when we consider that this was the way to the sea, and therefore to Rome. It was divided into several sectors: the oldest (2nd-3rd century AD) is known as the Giambertoni Necropolis and was characterised by limestone chest tombs and carved sarcophagi, including the very valuable one of the child.
La necropoli romanaAnother area (3rd-6th century AD) is located near the Temple of Concordia and is known as the necropolis sub divo, i.e. open-air; it consisted of around 130 trapezoidal chest tombs dug directly into the rock.
Finally, a large communal catacomb called the Fragapane Grotto (4th-5th century AD) connected the two aforementioned areas through underground loculi and corridors.La Grotta FragapaneThe Fragapane Grotto opens onto what has been called the Via dei Sepolcri (Road of the Tombs), a route that crosses the necropolis from east to west, obtained from a canal from the Greek age that was probably used to transport water to the city’s network of aqueducts. At some points that form roundabouts, between the connecting corridors, the catacombs were built using the pre-existing bell-shaped cisterns of the Greek age, which thus became real burial chambers.

The Romans settle in Agrigentum

The provincial layout of Sicily

The theatre of origins

The centre of politics in Agrigentum

Works for the muses: the mosaics of the Hellenistic-Roman quarter

The driver of Agrigentum’s well-being

The wellness centres of the Romans

A Sanctuary for the Latin gods

The life of young people in Roman times

The Punic Wars and the final conquest of Akragas

The Kolymbetra Garden

The forum in the city of the Akragantines

The cult of the Emperor

The domus, guardians of private life

From Akragas to Agrigentum

The Living Almond Museum

Hellenistic heritage on the streets of Agrigentum

Mens sana in corpore sano: the gymnasium of Agrigento

The Hellenistic-Roman quarter

Breathing in world heritage together

The Roman necropolis

The Oratory of Phalaris

Vegetation in the Gardens

Cicero’s account: Agrigentum in In Verrem

An exceptional discovery: the thermal baths of Agrigentum

Roman affairs

The tomb of Theron

Moments of leisure: the theatre

The gods of Agrigento

The ancient port of Agrigentum

The sarcophagus of the Child

Politics comparison: Akragas and Agrigentum