TH6 Marble Hall

TH6  Marble Hall

View looking south at the south wall of the large "Marble Hall" in Dwelling Unit 6.  It is called the "Marble Hall" because the walls and floor of this huge hall were lined with marble.   Notice the niche on the far wall.  This banqueting hall received the marble furnishings around A.D. 100.  It provided a luxurious setting for private and official occasions at which times the status and prosperity of the owner were plainly on display!

The small marble pieces were assembled on the tables as this large jigsaw puzzle was pieced back together. 

Unit 6 is the largest and most elaborate of the Terrace Houses excavated.  Although it was originally constructed in the Early Roman Period this phase of Unit 6 dates to the second century A.D. when the Unit was rebuilt and expanded.  At that time it served the family of C. Flavius Furius Aptus who held municipal and priestly offices.   It was evidently destroyed by one of the earthquakes in the third century A.D.