[1] The elaborate villa was part of a rich estate covering 3.5 ha, one of the many historically reported but rarely excavated latifundia on the island.

It is known that Sicily through its latifundia, or villa estates, was vital to the agricultural economy of the Roman Empire and produced most of the wheat, barley, olives and grapes imported by the city of Rome.

[7] The earliest buildings date to late Roman period of 325-50 AD, and after their collapse possibly in the earthquake of 361 they were overbuilt in about 370 by a more extensive villa which may never have been completed, and was burnt down 100 years later.

The range of colours used in the mosaics is very varied: black, grey, red, green, pink, white and the compositions are accurately made.

[9] A text in mosaic is written around all four sides floor which is also probably unique, and reads: PHILIPPIANORVM PRAEDIA FELI[cia]/CAPITOLINIS GAVDIVM/PLVRA FABRICETIS MELLIORA DEDI/CETIS ASCLEPIADES SENESCAS CVM TVIS Translation: May the estates of the Philippiani prosper.