August 19 marks the 2,000th anniversary of the death of Rome’s first emperor Augustus, who ruled from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.
To commemorate the date, a series of special events and openings will be launched in the Italian capital.
On the Palatine Hill, where Augustus had his residence during his reign as an emperor, the Palatine Museum will unveil a restored ground floor with a new annex, and an upper floor featuring new multimedia equipment and a movie on the life of Augustus and his reign. In the House of Augustus, new rooms that have been excavated will be on display to the public for the first time. [Visits are by reservation and open to small groups only, to preserve the site. Reservations can be made beginning August 25 for the opening date, September 18.]
In the House of Livia on the Palatine, which was built for Augustus's third wife and adviser Livia Drusilla, recently restored frescoes on the walls of the triclinium, an underground dining area, will also be on display for the first time. Furthermore, the house has been equipped with an elevator to allow access to the disabled.
Beginning October 1, visitors to the Roman Forum will be able to walk the ancient way leading from the Vico Jugario to the Basilica Giulia, an area closed to the public in the 1980s so original topography could be restored.
The restored swimming pool complex and an adjacent hall at the Diocletian Baths, one of four complexes making up the system of the National Roman Museums, will open to the public from September 24.
Unfortunately, the Mausoleum of Augustus will not be open; the site is off limits pending restoration (the original four-million-euro budget has been halved).
