The gardens of Pompey: The first public gardens in the city of Rome. An introduction

The gardens of Pompey were the first public gardens in the city of Rome, situated within the so-called Pompeian complex that included the Theatre of Pompey, the Curia of Pompey and a (crypto)portico where these were located. This complex, inaugurated in 55 BC, was built by Pompey the Great (cos. I 70 BC), within his propaganda campaign during the struggle to gain control of the Roman Republic, which finally led to three bloody civil wars. This study presents the data now available on these gardens, which were to serve as a model for the public gardens that were subsequently opened in Rome.