October 7, 2009

Archaeologists unearth Nero's revolving banquet hall

This picture released by the CNRS/Universite de Provence shows a column of Emperor Nero banquet hall, a rotating room discovered by a French team of archeologists led by Francoise Villedieu on Rome's Palatine hill.

Archaeologists have unveiled the remains of a revolving banquet room built by the Roman emperor Nero, who ruled between 54 and 68 BC and was famed for his depraved and extravagant lifestyle, a statement said Wednesday.

The circular dining space, part of Nero's Golden Palace on Rome's Palatine, Esquiline and Caelian hills, was rotated by an impressive piece of machinery which "represents a unique element of Roman architecture", the National Centre for Scientific Research said in a statement.

The banquet hall revolved slowly but continually to simulate the earth's rotation.

The sumptuous and sprawling palace and the revolving dining room was chronicled by the Latin historian Suetonius. It had a commanding view of Rome.

Archaeologists unearth Nero's revolving banquet hall

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