Life in ancient times

In keeping with many Mediterranean houses, the Villa Kerylos is built around a “peristyle”, a vast central courtyard surrounded by twelve monolithic columns in white Carrera marble. It was here that the owner, Theodore Reinach, loved to take a walk.

The library occupies one and a half storeys and faces the East for maximum morning light when reading. Its shelves hold many reference works on classical art. The room also contains many works of art and objects that were used in the daily lives of ancient Greeks. 
 

In the banqueting hall, called the “triklinos”, there are three couches the same height as the low tables. Guests would lie on these to eat, just as in ancient Greek times.

The “balaneion”, a private bathroom only found in luxury houses in ancient Greece, is in Carrera tiger marble. It was customary for ancient Greeks to relax in such rooms before their evening meal. 

Theodore Reinach’s richly decorated bedroom is called “Erotès”, dedicated to Eros the God of love. The walls are in red ochre, a characteristically Grecian colour. On the floor is a large mosaic depicting Dionysus on a trireme, surrounded by dolphins. 

“Ornitès” or the “bird room” was the name given to Madame Reinach’s bedroom, where blue is the dominant colour. Theodore Reinach had his wife’s room decorated with the symbols of the goddess Hera, the peacock and the swan.