Between conquering half the entire world and trying to protect the empire from foreign invaders, even the tenacious Romans needed a well-deserved vacation. And, just like we do today, they had their own exclusive destinations, favored by the super-rich. Here are the five favorite ancient resorts of the Romans:
5. Stabiae
Although overshadowed by the neighboring town of Pompeii, Stabiae was one of the favorite resorts of Roman royalty. After being destroyed by Lucius Cornelius Sulla, in April of 89 BC, during the Social War, Stabiae was rebuilt and turned into a resort.
It was favored by many for its spring water that was believed to have curing powers, and for its excellent views of the Bay of Naples and the mountains in the area. There were reportedly miles and miles of luxurious villas built along the shoreline, all offering incredible views of the bay.
Stabiae was almost completely destroyed in 79 AD, by 2 meters of tephra ash, during the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
4. Hierapolis
The origins of Hierapolis are yet unknown, but, along the way, it was a part of the Roman Empire and one of the most popular resorts in Asia. The Romans were the ones who founded Hierapolis as a thermal spa and gave it to Eumenes II, King of Pergamon, during the second century BC.
It later returned into Roman hands and after it was devastated by two major earthquakes, it was rebuilt and became one of the most popular destinations in the area. People from all over the neighboring lands came to Hierapolis to bathe in the medicinal hot springs.
The city of Hierapolis was abandoned in 1300 and was uncovered by Carl Humann, a German archeologist, in 1887.
3. Capri
Of all the destinations on our list, Capri is the only one that remains one of the most popular resorts in Europe. The island, once part of the Italian mainland, has been inhabited since the Neolithic, but it wasn’t until the time of the Roman Empire that it became an important settlement.
Several Roman Emperors built villas in Capri and spent their vacations there, and Emperor Tiberius even retreated on the island and ruled the empire from there, until he died, in 37 CE. Together with his successor, Caligula, he abused and forced his slaves into performing unimaginable sexual perversions, on Capri.
2. Pompeii
Pompeii is still a popular tourist destination, but instead of relaxing in Roman baths, people come to see the perfectly preserved remains of a Roman city. With over 20,000 inhabitants, Pompeii was the place where most Romans came to spend their vacations, just before the devastating eruption of Vesuvius.
On August 24, 79 AD this Roman urban resort was covered by thick layers of ash and encased it into a time capsule. It was rediscovered in 1748 and, since then, it has been giving archeologists important insights into the Roman way of life.
1. Baiae
In ancient times, Baiae was considered the most important thermal-bathing resort in the world and it was much more popular than Pompeii or Capri. Rome’s ultra-rich citizens spent their vacations here, satisfying their every pleasure and spreading rumors of scandals and corruption.
Emperors like Julius Caesar, Nero or Hadrian all had villas constructed in Baiae, and often visited the resorts many thermal pools and saunas. Ravaged by Muslim raiders and deserted in the year 1500, Baiae now lies on the bottom of the Bay of Naples.
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