Originally Stabiae was a fortified settlement in the vesuvian area. Hidden by the historical eruption of the Vesuvius 79 A.D., the ancient Stabiae is still buried under the pyroclastic materials It was built on the Varano plain nearby to the sea from where it was possible to control both the port, where the present city of Castellammare di Stabia is located, and the important road network connected to the landing – stage. According to most archaeologists Stabiae as supposed to be an oppidum, a fortified city, because Silla, the supreme commander of the Roman army in the Republican period, did not occupy the city (like he did Pompeii and Herculanum during the Social – wars opposing the Italic cities against Rom) but he simply destroyed it.

That Stabiae was a busy trading centre and an important landing – stage having relationships in the whole Mediterranean area, is demonstrated by the rich funerary furnishers, consisting of artefacts from various zones, found in a large necropolis ( cemetery) on the Varano hill. On it, probably along the borders of the built – up area, three Roman villas were discovered, nowadays open to the public, even if they are not entirely excavated. The San Marcus villa, so called after an ancient chapel built in the area in the second half of the 1700’s, enjoys a marvellous view over the see and has a built-up area of 11000 square m.. The Ariadne villa, the oldest one “was so called after a large fresco, showing a mythological subject, found on the back wall of the triclinium (dining-room). A large section of this villa is still covered by volcanic ash of Vesuvius but the whole extension of the building is known thanks to a design drawn at the time of the Bourbons.

The third Roman villa, located near the Ariadne one, is famous for the splendid mosaics, taken by the Bourbon to the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.