The Emperors' Gardens

We have already seen that Pompey the Great built the Porticus Pompeiana as a public garden for everyone to access. But what about the other gardens built by the rich and powerful? Were they exclusively for private use, or open to the public?

It was the practice of emperors to construct grand public spaces and buildings as testaments to their power and wealth and to enhance the empire. Basilicas, temples, public entertainment sites, all of these are projects funded by emperors. Gardens are no different - a number of emperors had public park spaces built under their leadership. Consider the following list:

Vespasian, in 71 CE, constructed the Forum Pacis, which included a strolling garden that was square with three rows of hedges for public enjoyment.

Trajan, in 112 CE, constructed a forum with trees planted in square insets, arranged into avenues like an orchard, but for the sole purpose of public enjoyment.

() Artist's reconstruction of Trajan's forum

Agrippa, in 12 BCE, planted the Horti Agrippae on the Campus Martius.

There were also emperors who built elaborate gardens for their own use, not to be shared with the public and usually on private estates. Some of those are listed below.

Pliny the Younger, 1st century CE, had a large Tuscan villa with a garden of trees, hedges, and a large food producing kitchen garden.

Hadrian, in the early 2nd century CE, had parks and gardens in his countryside estate. His elaborate gardens included a chain of small parks with pools, canals and fountains which incorporated Greek culture and philosophy into the décor and design. As gardens and parks were status symbols in Hellenistic culture, it was common for Romans to try and incorporate that meaning into their own estates.

() Artist's rendering of Hadrian's villa

Nero, after the fire of 64 CE, annexed 80 hectares for a new palace that included an artificial rural estate, grand and expensive.

These are a few examples that answer the question above. Yes, there certainly were plenty of public parks set up by emperors! And yet they also had spaces for themselves, their family, their invited guests and few others. This reinforces the concept that gardens are spaces both public and private, and there are many contexts for them.


Works cited:

Carroll, Maureen. Earthly Paradises: Ancient Gardens in History and Archaeology. London: British Museum Press, 2003. Pages 18, 56, 72, 77.

Image sources:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/107734616059979380/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/166422148705354992/