Nero's Rotating Dining Hall Discovered

Posted by Johnny Cat in Architecture, Everything Else on October 13, 2009 at 4:34 pm

neros-palace-article121698606a3adc2000005dc201306x463_1Back in 1st century A.D. (or C.E., if it pleases you), the Romans were really starting to crank things up.  Things like debauchery, poisoning of rivals, fratricide…basically setting the stage for their own eventual downfall.

Of the many Emperors who ruled over this lifestyle, Nero stands out as one of the nastiest.  But you gotta give the guy points for trying to throw a serious bash.  At the time of his rule, a Roman historian named Suetonius chronicled everything, including the construction of a dining room that rotated.

Now, archeologists think they may have finally discovered this room, which was filled in and built-over in 80A.D.

Quite how the rotating dining room worked is still a bit of a mystery; some think it was by the motion of canals under the room and others think it more likely that it was manually cranked by slaves but hopefully the new funding will enable the archaeologists to confirm one way or the other.

In addition to the rotating floor, the opulent room featured fretted ivory ceilings which would pour flower petals and perfume down on Nero’s guests.  Jackie118 has more fascinating history of Nero’s Rome at the link!

Link | Image: Daily Mail

 
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Incredible Diner-Themed Room

Posted by Stacy in Arts & Crafts on January 1, 2009 at 10:36 pm

This room is amazing. It’s all handpainted by DogGrrl from Craftster. I’m extremely impressed with her perspective – it took me a few tries, but if you look closely, you can see where the actual wall ends and where her painting skills begin.


And this is genius – shortly after she posted the pictures of her completed room, she had someone gut an old, not-working Coke machine and put shelves inside. The result? Computer cabinet. Love it.


Link for more pictures, which I highly recommend checking out. It’s even more detailed than what you see here!

 
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