Empousa's modest villa was a traditional one. The entrance led to an open courtyard surrounded by arcades on three sides. A peristyle garden flourished in the courtyard with luxuriant flowering plants, vegetable patches, and herbs, which were periodically irrigated.

A garden freshly watered makes glad the man who is tending it, Empousa would say.

There were cushioned lounges and stone benches for resting and entertaining guests. An altar of the goddess Necessitas, in the middle ...