Archaeological soundings beneath the road, dating to the early 2nd century AD, brought to light a bath complex of the period of Claudius (AD 41-54) whose size is impossible to determine. The only portion still visible is a fine black and white mosaic presenting panels with depictions of weapons and geometrical motifs enclosed within a meander border. The central area is adorned with a panel containing depictions of dolphins, flanked by the personifications of the Provinces (Spain, Sicily, Egypt and Africa) and of the winds, symbolized respectively by women’s heads and men’s heads. The figurative motifs probably allude to the development of maritime trade between the provinces of the western Mediterranean and Rome following the construction of the port of Claudius.
Detail of the mosaic with personifications of Africa (B), Egypt (D) and the winds (A and C)
Detail of the mosaic with personifications of Spain (F), Sicily (H), and the winds (E and G)
Detail of the central panel of the mosaic with dolphins
Plan and section of excavations beneath Via dei Vigili (G. Pascolini)
View of excavations beneath Via dei Vigili
View of the suspensurae of a bath environment belonging to the Baths beneath Via dei Vigili
View of the mosaic of the Provinces and of the structures behind it
View of the mosaic of the Provinces