La Villa Arianna, 79 A.D.

The Villa Arianna, or House of Ariadne, is named for the mythical figure of that name who is pictured in one of the surviving frescoes in this complex of Roman structures near Castellamare di Stabia on the Bay of Naples. This Roman complex was lost along with many others in the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. The waters of the Bay have now receded from their former point adjacent to the villa, built on a promontory and structured to accomodate visitors and supplies by boat from the Pomepii and other ports.