The Roman city of Baiae was discovered some years ago, but has only recently been explored in depth because it lies on the ocean floor. Due to new technology and new discoveries, Baiae was recently featured as the star of a documentary created by underwater archaeologist Dr. Barbara Davidde. This city was like the Las Vegas of ancient Rome, and featured an impressive array of technologies for a town that existed roughly 2,000 years ago.

Baiae disappeared into the ocean nearly 1,700 years ago. This city was located about 50 miles north of Pompeii, another coastal city that was destroyed and was about 150 miles south of Rome. The Coastal resort of Baiae, on the western side of what is now Italy, was a major destination for the rich and powerful of ancient Rome. Emperors Nero and Claudius, had homes in this Roman resort city.

Baiae was the location of one of the biggest scandals of the Roman era.

“Ancient texts tell us that Piso plotted to murder the emperor at his holiday villa in Baiae so he could become emperor instead, but he had a change of heart at the last minute,” classics professor at University of Oregon Kevin Dicus said. “When Nero learnt about the plan, he ordered Piso to commit suicide,” Dicus said.

Among the city’s impressive pieces of architecture were fish ponds that were several hundred feet in diameter and were used to provide fresh fish to locals. While the naturally heated water that was abundant in the area made this coastal town popular, it was also its downfall.

“The chambers [of molten rock] emptied as the lava found a way to escape, causing the resort to sink beneath the waves,” Davidde said.