The “Domus di Tito Macro” in Aquileia represents an important archaeological site that offers a broad view of Roman life in ancient times. This residence, one of the largest in Northern Italy, extends over an area of 1,700 square metres, with a length of about 77 metres and a maximum width of 25 metres.
The house, built in the 1st century BC and inhabited until the 6th century AD, has been the subject of excavations conducted by the University of Padua between 2009 and 2015. It is presumed that the residence belonged to Tito Macro, a wealthy inhabitant of Aquileia, based on the discovery of a stone weight with an iron handle inscribed with T.MACR.
During the excavations, the structure of the domus emerged, which underwent various transformations over the centuries. One of the main discoveries was the fishing mosaic, intended to be relocated to the reception room opening onto the garden.
The life of the owners has been evidenced by finds such as a gold ring and glass paste dated to the 2nd-3rd century AD. During the excavations, over 1,200 coins were found, including a sestertius of Maximinus Thrax (235-236 AD).
Access to the house was from the west, through an atrium with columns and a central basin for collecting water. Inside, there were spaces such as the tablinum, a garden with a fountain, a reception hall, a triclinium, a kitchen with a masonry counter, and shops, including a baker’s shop with an oven for baking. This “atrium house” represents a significant testimony to ancient Roman life and architecture in Aquileia.
