Appian Way

A bas relief, she hovers above the Appian Way next to her husband, whose furrowed row and pursed lips give him a quizzical air.

So there are compelling signs that a road existed where the digging took place, “but we still can’t say whether this was or wasn’t the Appian Way,” Ms. Serlorenzi said.

In a last bid to find traces of the Appian Way's founding stones, archaeologists will extract samples of what remains unexcavated via a core drill before covering up the site.

She tried to guard her private life, retreating to an isolated villa on Rome's ancient Appian Way, which was decorated with her own sculptures and paintings as well art she collected on her world travels.

In one chilling scene meant to recall the crucifixion of Spartacus' army on Rome's Appian Way, the night obscures bodies hanging from trees.