Piazza di Porta Maggiore

By the Editors of the Madain Project

The Piazza di Porta Maggiore (Porta Maggiore Square) is a prominent square in Rome, situated at the intersection of several ancient roads, including the Via Praenestina, Via Labicana, and Via Casilina. It is named after the nearby Porta Maggiore, one of the most important and well-preserved gates of the ancient Aurelian Walls, which served as a major access point to the city.

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Overview

The piazza is significant not only for its historical role as a hub for transportation and commerce but also for its archaeological importance, as it is located near several key ancient sites, including remnants of the Neronian Aqueduct and other infrastructure related to the city’s water supply system. Today, the square is an important urban landmark, blending ancient history with modern city life.

Notable Archaeological Structures

circa 50-20 BCE

Tomb of Eurysaces the Baker
The Tomb of Eurysaces the Baker is one of the most distinctive and well-preserved funerary monuments from ancient Rome, offering a rare glimpse into the social mobility of freedmen in the late Republic. Built in the late 1st century BCE, this elaborate tomb stands near the Porta Maggiore and is believed to belong to Marcus Vergilius Eurysaces, a former slave who amassed wealth as a baker and contractor for state grain supplies. The monument’s unique cylindrical design, adorned with reliefs depicting the stages of bread production, emphasizes Eurysaces’ profession and status. Its unconventional architectural form, featuring a series of round openings resembling kneading basins, sets it apart from traditional Roman funerary structures. As a powerful statement of self-made success, the tomb highlights the role of freedmen in Rome’s commercial economy while challenging the aristocratic dominance of public commemorations.

circa 52-54 CE

Porta Maggiore
The Porta Maggiore is one of the most impressive and historically significant gates in ancient Rome, known for its architectural complexity and its role in the city’s water distribution system. Built in 52 CE during the reign of Emperor Claudius, the gate was strategically located where the Aqua Claudia and Anio Novus aqueducts crossed. Not only a monumental entrance to the city, but the gate also served as a functional conduit for the water supply, with its arches allowing the aqueducts to pass through. The structure features grand rusticated masonry, inscriptions celebrating the emperor’s achievements, and a design that reflects Rome’s sophisticated engineering prowess. Over time, the Porta Maggiore evolved from an essential infrastructural element into a symbol of Rome’s imperial power, integrating both utility and grandeur in one striking monument.

circa 60-68 CE

Neronian Aqueduct
At Piazza di Porta Maggiore, the Neronian Aqueduct is still visible, with its arches extending from the city gate towards the Celio Hill. These arches, constructed of brick, are a testament to the engineering prowess of ancient Rome. The aqueduct's path from Porta Maggiore through Via Statilia to the Celio Hill underscores its historical significance in Rome's water distribution system. The remains of the Neronian Aqueduct near Porta Maggiore offer valuable insights into the city's ancient infrastructure and the luxurious lifestyle of its emperors.

circa 195-230 CE

Severan Period Baths of Helena
The Severan Period Baths of Helena (also known as Terme Elenaine) were built during the Severan dynasty in the early 3rd century CE, likely commissioned by Emperor Severus Alexander in honor of his mother, Julia Mamaea, and his grandmother, Julia Domna. The baths were part of the extensive public bath system in Rome, a reflection of the empire’s emphasis on hygiene, social life, and public welfare. These baths were located near the Porta Tiburtina and were not only an architectural achievement but also served as a symbol of the imperial family's power and their role in enhancing the city's infrastructure.

The structure of the Terme Elenaine consisted of various facilities typical of Roman bathhouses, including caldarium (hot rooms), tepidarium (warm rooms), and frigidarium (cold rooms). The baths were renowned for their grandeur, and remnants of the elaborate mosaic decorations, marble, and architectural elements have been uncovered in the area. Though much of the complex has not survived, the remains of the Severan Baths of Helena offer insights into the design and functioning of imperial-era bathhouses, as well as the luxurious nature of Roman public life during the Severan period.

circa 405 CE

Remains of the Honorius' Gate
The remains on display belong to a guardhouse when the Porta Maggiore was reconstructed or midified during the reign of emperor Honorius. It was modified further when the emperor Honorius augmented the walls in 405 CE. The foundations of a guardhouse (inspect) added by Honorius are still visible, while the upper part of the gate, as built by Honorius, has been moved to the left side of the Porta.

Undated

Remains of a Water Tank

Undated

Neopythagorean Basilica at Porta Maggiore
The Porta Maggiore Basilica is an underground structure located in Rome, discovered in 1917 during railway construction. Dating to the 1st century BCE, it is believed to have served as the meeting place for the neo-Pythagoreans, a Hellenistic philosophical movement influenced by Pythagoras and Plato. This basilica, with its ascetic and mystical teachings, predates Christian basilicas, making it a significant architectural and historical site. The basilica is thought to have been constructed by the Statilius family, with Titus Statilius Taurus, its head, being linked to accusations of magical superstitions. The building features three naves supported by six rock pillars and an apse, decorated with stucco images of mythological figures such as centaurs, griffins, and classical heroes like Achilles and Hercules. Found 12 meters below street level, the basilica underwent restoration, including the installation of a protective concrete shell in 1951. Due to its fragility, it is now open for small, pre-arranged tours, with careful control of temperature and humidity.

Undated

Statili Tomb
The Statili Tomb is an ancient Roman funerary monument located near the Porta Maggiore in Rome, dating back to the 1st century BCE. This tomb is attributed to the Statilius family, a prominent Roman family of the late Republic. The most notable member associated with the tomb is Titus Statilius Taurus, a Roman nobleman who was accused of involvement in magical practices and eventually committed suicide in 53 CE, as mentioned by the historian Tacitus.

Undated

Tomb with the Doric Frieze

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See Also

References

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