The Roman Villa of Rio Verde was built at the end of the First and the beginning of The Second Centuries A.D. as a fish farming estate, dedicated to the production of Garum, a spicy sauce made of various fish, particularly mackerel. Garum was an essential part of ancient Roman cuisine, and could fetch hefty prices in Rome.
The Hispanic-Roman poet, Marco Valerio Marcial wrote that a few drops of Garum could convert ordinary eggs into a delicacy.
Roman villas normally consisted of two interior courtyards, Atrio and Peristilo. The Greek origin of Peristilo, peri (around) stylos (column) indicates an open air courtyard with a small garden. The Peristilo was the centre of master’s house communicating with various rooms. The main feature was the area called tablinum, the dining area connected to six rooms; and it is precisely this area of the Periostilo which still remains of the Rio Verde Villa.
The tiled mosaic floor features a reproduction of Medusa.
The mosaics are made of 1cm sized cubes, called tessellae, predominately of two colours, black and white. Although this artistic technique had its limitations, the artwork is rather realistic. In the room of the Medusa a small number of grey, pink, salmon, and ochre coloured tessellae were used. This room reproduces a theme which enjoyed great popularity in ancient art: Gorgoneion, a shield with the face of the Medusa.
According to mythology, three sister were known as Gorgons, two were immortals and the third was mortal and called Medusa. Medusa was an extraordinary beauty and Poseidon, the God of the sea was deeply in love with her. When the God consummated his love with her in the temple of Atenea, she got angry and turned into a monster, turning her lovely hair into serpents and her soft voice changed to frightening barks. After Medusa’s metamorphosis, her gaze would turn those looking at her into stone.
However, the head of the Medusa on a round shield was considered a sign of good fortune in ancient times, and provide protection against curses.
The Roman Villa of Rio Verde is an area considered of High Cultural Interest by the Andalusian Government and is an important example of the Heritage of Andalusia..