Domus Tiberiana

The Domus Tiberiana is a palace complex located on the Palatine Hill in Rome, dating back to Emperor Tiberius. It is situated between the Temple of Magna Mater to the south and the Roman Forum to the north.

At its core and during Tiberius' time, the complex likely originated from a consolidation of late Republican houses, a modest domicile compared to later imperial palaces, similar to the nearby House of Augustus. It was only under Caligula (and possibly also under Nero) that a representative expansion and extension of the complex to the northeast took place.

Little is known about the extent and nature of the complex at this time. Suetonius writes:

partem Palatii ad Forum usque promovit, atque aede Castoris et Pollucis in vestibulum transfigurata "He [Caligula] extended the complex as far as the Forum, thereby transforming the Temple of Castor and Pollux into his antechamber."

And Flavius Josephus states: "When he [Caligula] stood on his royal palace and threw gold and silver among the crowd, he could easily have been pushed down, for the top of the palace rose high above the Forum." From this, one can conclude that the extent of the complex, at least in the north, roughly corresponded to its present-day size.

The complex was largely destroyed in the devastating fire of 80 AD. During the subsequent reconstruction of Domitian's palace complexes (Domus Flavia and Domus Augustana), parts of the Domus Tiberiana (especially preserved perimeter walls) were integrated into the redesign of the Palatine.

In the 16th century, the entire area was built over by the Farnese Gardens, which severely limits the extent of possible excavations today. The parts still visible today are essentially retaining walls and remains of basements.

Since 2011, new extensive excavations have been taking place, which can be observed from a visitor platform.