Sugolin

(Zliten; the identification is almost certain)

An important villa (on the site of Dar Buk-Ammarah), over twenty miles east of Lepcis Magna in the Roman province of Africa (now in Libya). The villa terminates in a long colonnaded terrace overlooking the sea, behind which lies a series of rooms; while another group of apartments, together with baths, is to be seen at the eastern extremity of the complex.

Its abundant mosaic floors comprise exceptionally fine specimens of opus tessellatum (consisting of squared and smoothed tesserae of marble, stone and tile, employed to cover broad spaces), opus sectile (relatively large, thin, shaped pieces of colored marble, forming geometric or floral patterns) and opus vermiculatum (subtly cut and curved for three-dimensional effects). Agricultural and Nilotic scenes are depicted, and representations of the Four Seasons are also to be seen. The four borders of one floor are decorated with pictures of activities in the amphitheater, while the pavement of a small chamber in the form of a quarter circle displays designs of numerous different animals, fishes and mythological sea beasts. The chronology of the various mosaics is much disputed; dates varying between Flavian times (AD 69–96) and the Severan dynasty (193–235) have been proposed. The problem is complicated by the long history of the villa, during which its rooms were repaired and restored on a number of occasions; no less than five superimposed layers of plaster have been distinguished on some of the walls.