La decorazione architettonica del complesso di Campetti (Veio): contesto, materiale, reimpiego

Luigi Sperti, Myriam Pilutti Namer, Ugo Fusco,

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Abstract

The complex of Campetti lies on a downward slope in the South-West area of the plateau of the city of Veii. During the IV period (late I century BC - I century AD) and V period (II-III century AD) the site, located in the immediate suburbs of the Roman Municipium, shows buildings and infrastructures (cisterns, pools for bathing, Nymphaeum etc) which suggest the unequivocal public function of the area. In this context water plays a major role. Some votive inscriptions dedicated to different deities (Igea, Hercules, Fontes and Diana) define as a thermal and therapeutic the area where different cults were practised. In the same area, recent geological research has led to the discovery of hot springs. Several architectural elements belonging to the decoration of monumental buildings have been unearthed: Ionic and Corinthianizing capitals, decorated pilasters, cornices, friezes with anthemion. The material is usually out of context, in a fragmentary state, and does not differ from the current production of the first and middle imperial age. There are however some exceptions: a couple of examples show connections with the decorative repertoire of the Republican period and with the tradition of Hellenistic Asia Minor. The complex of Campetti is also a unique case study to investigate the phenomenon of reuse of architectural sculpture.