Nearby, in the present Park of Centocelle, was the great Roman Villa "ad Duas Lauros"[1] which was later owned by Helena and known as the home of the Flavian Christians.

[2] It dated from the Republican era to the 5th-6th century AD when it reached its maximum extent of almost two hectares and was the place of death of Valentinian III.

Lanzoni[5] and Duchesne[6] place in this area the town known as Subaugusta, whose name referred to the Augusta Helena, and which for a while formed a small diocese, four of whose bishops took part in synods held at Rome between 465 and 502.

In order to lighten the dome, it included large amphorae (as in the Temple of Romulus or the Mausoleum of Villa Gordiani), which are now visible after the vault has collapsed.

This led to the medieval name of the mausoleum, Torpignattara (Torre delle pignatte, meaning "Tower of the Vases"), today also used for the quarter which has grown around.