Malek, A. (2026). "House of the Labors of Hercules (La maison des travaux d'Hercules)." Gardens of the Roman Empire, accessed October 2, 2026. https://roman-gardens.github.io/id/64430de73d/

House of the Labors of Hercules (La maison des travaux d'Hercules)

Published: 2026-09-28
Last modified: 2026-09-29

Dates

Second century CE

Garden Description

The House of the Labors of Hercules, dating to the beginning of the second century CE, is located between the cardo maximum, the cardo north II, and the decumanus north I in the northeast neighborhood of Volubilis. The peristyle had a trapezoidal shape and was enclosed on four sides by a portico supported by 12 columns. The space between the columns was spanned by a low wall. The peristyle is of Rhodian type with higher columns along the side of the oecus that opened into it. In the center of the garden, set slightly closer to the oecus, was an elaborate pool made of recesses that enclosed a masonry fountain ornamented with rectilinear and curved niches. Five reception rooms opened into the garden, among which is the triclinium 5 with its pavement mosaic featuring the Labors of Hercules.

Plans

Bibliography

  • R. Etienne, Le quartier Nord-Est de Volubilis, Paris, 1960, p. 31- 4, Pl. IV, XLIV, 2. (haithitrust)
  • R. Thouvenot, "La maison des travaux d'Hercule", PSAM, 8, p. 69-107, fig. 1. (worldcat)

Keywords

Places