Basilica of Junius Bassus

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Basilica of Junius Bassus
0 Rapt d'Hylas par les nymphes - Pal Massimo - Rome (1).JPG
Panel with Hylas and the nymphs and the Egyptian-themed decoration known as Alexandrine vellum
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Roma Plan.jpg
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Basilica of Junius Bassus
Shown within Augustan Rome
Basilica of Junius Bassus
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Coordinates 41°53′51.73″N12°30′0.50″E / 41.8977028°N 12.5001389°E / 41.8977028; 12.5001389
Type Basilica

The Basilica of Junius Bassus (basilica Iunii Bassi) was a civil basilica on the Esquiline Hill in Rome, on a site now occupied by the Seminario Pontificio di Studi Orientali, in via Napoleone III, 3. It is best known for its examples of opus sectile work.

Contents

History

The basilica was built by Junius Bassus in 331 during his consulate. In the second half of the 5th century, under Pope Simplicius, it was transformed into the church of Sant'Andrea Catabarbara.

Rediscovery

Opus sectile panel: tiger attacking a calf, Roman artwork from the second quarter of the 4th century CE 0 Tigre che assale un vitello - Musei Capitolini (1).jpg
Opus sectile panel: tiger attacking a calf, Roman artwork from the second quarter of the 4th century CE

Its last remains were rediscovered and demolished in 1930, and these excavations also found an Augustan house (with later rebuilding) containing 3rd century mosaics, one with Dionysian subjects and one with the names of the house's owners (Arippii and Ulpii Vibii). These mosaics are now on show in the seminary.

Sources

    Commons-logo.svg Media related to Basilica di Giunio Basso (Rome) at Wikimedia Commons

    Preceded by
    Basilica Julia
    Landmarks of Rome
    Basilica of Junius Bassus
    Succeeded by
    Basilica of Maxentius

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