Ancient Roman Emperor’s Garden Unearthed Near Vatican CityAncient Roman Emperor’s Garden Unearthed Near Vatican City Amidst the bustling streets of Rome, a remarkable discovery has been made that offers a glimpse into the past. Construction workers stumbled upon the ruins of a 2,000-year-old garden that once graced the grounds of Vatican City. The garden, perched on the banks of the Tiber River, was identified through a lead water pipe bearing the inscription “C(ai) Cæsaris Aug(usti) Germanici.” This inscription refers to Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, better known by his nickname “Caligula.” Caligula, who ascended to the throne in AD 37, was known for his extravagance and tyrannical rule. His reign was marked by lavish building projects and a depleted Roman treasury. Among his notable follies was a floating bridge constructed across the Bay of Bauli, solely for the purpose of a two-day galloping ride. The discovery of the garden aligns with a passage from the ancient text “On the Embassy to Gaius,” which describes Caligula’s meeting with a representative of Jewish Alexandrians in a garden along the Tiber. During this meeting, Caligula sided with the Greeks in a conflict over religious freedom, further highlighting his capricious and intolerant nature. The garden offers a tangible connection to a significant figure in Roman history, shedding light on the opulence and drama that characterized Caligula’s reign. It serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Roman Empire and the archaeological wonders that continue to be unearthed.
Near Vatican City in Italy, a 2,000-year-old garden that once belonged to a Roman emperor was discovered. The garden overlooks the banks of the Tiber River, which cuts through Rome to the east of Vatican City.
According to a translated statement from the Italian Ministry of Culture, construction workers unearthed the garden’s ruins while building a new overpass at Piazza Pia. When they removed the debris, they found a lead water pipe inscribed with the words “C(ai) Cæsaris Aug(usti) Germanici.”
Researchers determined that the inscription referred to Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, who, in childhood, was nicknamed “Caligula,” which meant “little boot,” by his father’s soldiers. The garden most likely belonged to the emperor.
Caligula took the throne in AD 37. During his four-year reign, he drained the Roman treasury, spending large amounts of money on lavish building projects.
For instance, he ordered a two-mile floating bridge to be erected on the Bay of Bauli. The sole purpose of the bridge’s construction was so he could gallop across it on his horse for two days.
Finally, he was stabbed to death, along with his wife and daughter, in AD 41 by the Praetorian Guard, the officials who were supposed to protect him.
For everyone involved, it was long overdue, as Caligula was known for being a ruthless tyrant who liked to humiliate his senate by forcing members to run for miles in front of his chariot. He was the first Roman emperor to die by assassination.
The garden was mentioned in the ancient text “On the Embassy to Gaius,” written by Egyptian philosopher Philo of Alexandria. A passage from the text described how Caligula met with a representative of Jews living in Alexandria in a garden situated along the Tiber.
At the time, there was a lot of violence and religious intolerance between Jewish Alexandrians and Greeks in Alexandria. The Jews requested the freedom to practice their religion, but Caligula took the Greeks’ side instead.
ecstk22 – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only
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