Others described it as a den of licentiousness and vice" and a “vortex of luxury”.
Baiaes hedonism was as notorious as that of Las Vegas today.
But much of Baiae now lies underwater.
Photo credit: Roberto Serani/You Tube
Baiae was built on the Cumaean Peninsula, originally as a port.
Many had their own villas built there.
Baiae is also associated with some of the most notable events in Roman history.
Nero had his mother Agrippina murdered in the villa he had built in Baiae.
Hadrian died there and Caligula built his famous pontoon bridge extending from Baia to Pozzuoli.
It is said that Cleopatra was staying in Baiae at the time of Julius Caesars death in 44 BC.
Then, in the 16th century, it vanished beneath the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Today, one can take a glass-bottom boat out from the harbor or dive down to view the ruins.
Most of the buildings have collapsed walls but the different rooms are discernable.
Some of these rooms still have their mosaic floors intact.
Covered by seaweed, this once great city has now become home to a varied marine life.
Aside from Baiaes underwater archaeological park, there are several Roman ruins to see above the sea.
Photo credit: Pasquale Vassallo/Youtube
Sources:www.parcoarcheologicosommersodibaia.it/Wikipedia/World Adventure Divers/Timeless Italy/The Grand Spas of Central Europe/Atlas Obscura
