Malta's strategic position in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea has lured settlers from as early as 5000 B.C. up to Malta's Independence 1964.  The Romans occupied Malta during the Second Punic War when Titus Sempronius Longus invaded it in 218 BC. They called Malta ‘Melite’. The capital city at that time was Mdina, which was also called ‘Melite’. Mdina at that time was larger than it is now and incorporated parts that today are called Rabat.  Many artefacts and several roman structures still survive on these islands.  

One of these structures can be found a few metres from Mdina, and is called ‘Domus Romana' (sometimes referred to as Roman Villa or Roman House). This house probably belonged to a rich Roman merchant or senior official and dates back to the 1st Century BC.

The remains of the villa were first excavated in 1881. It was restored keeping its original Roman design and then converted into a museum exhibiting Roman remains found all over the Maltese islands. The main attraction of the villa is the atrium, covered with mosaic and enclosed by 16 columns, only one of which is original.

There are various other mosaic works in this house, of the same quality and beauty as other renowned mosaics found in Pompei and Sicily. One of the mosaics depicts two doves perched on the rim of a bowl of water. Another shows a little boy holding a bunch of grapes in one hand and a pomegranate in the other. Yet another that was probably in the main entrance of the building shows a nude male figure held by two women. The mosaics probably date back to the first quarter of the first century B.C.

These mosaics were created by placing small cubes of marble or stone closely together in cement. These are not always set in straight lines adding definition to the work, and making it look like a painting. Parts of these mosaics were imported from workshops in Asia Minor, Syria and Egypt and were then finished off by local artists.      

Amongst the exhibits in the Roman museum one can find lamps, glass and gold objects that depict the lifestyle of the Romans here in Malta.

The Roman Villa was closed in 2002 for refurbishment and opened again in 2005. It is now called the ‘Domus Romana' meaning Roman Town house as the original building made part of the old city ‘Melite'. Domus Romana is open to the general public daily between 9.00am and 5.00pm. The site is closed on Good Friday, 24, 25, 31 December and January 1. There are ample parking bays within walking distance of the museum and the site is also served by public transport.

Another important Roman structure is ‘San Pawl Milqi’. This was excavated over 40 years ago by the Missione Archeologica Italiana. It is a large agricultural estate dating from the 2nd to 3rd centuries B.C. The site is in northern Malta close to Burmarrad valley.

According to popular tradition, the villa belonged to Publius, the island’s governor when St. Paul was shipwrecked in Malta around 60 AD. Publius is said to have welcomed St. Paul in his home, and in fact the name, ‘San Pawl Milqi’ actually means ‘St. Paul welcomed’. No evidence has been found that supports or dismisses this story so far.

Apart from its importance in local religious lore, San Pawl Milqi also sheds light on Malta’s economy under the Roman Empire. It is understood that parts of this estate were used for the crushing of olives and oil extraction. This theory is backed by the findings of an olive-pipper and huge rectangular blocks of stone which probably housed the wooden olive presses.

The Maltese economy depended very much on olives at that time and the cultivation of olive trees was very popular. Olive oil was a precious commodity - Homer called it ‘liquid gold’. It was believed to have medicinal and magical powers, and was the symbol of great wealth and power. In fact, the olive tree was a symbol of abundance, glory and peace, and all countries under Roman rule cultivated them.

The villa at San Pawl Milqi, also has some beautiful wall paintings. More research is currently under way by the Missione Archeologica Italiana to investigate and conserve the site.