The remains of a Roman villa linked to one of the principal characters in the Ben-Hur legend could be obliterated by a housing development.
The villa of Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus – Ben-Hur’s childhood friend and nemesis in the 1880 book and the 1959 film – will make way for 10 apartment buildings, despite objections from heritage officials who say the site should be a no-build zone.
While Ben-Hur was a fictional character, Messalla was real and played a leading role at the battle of Actium.
Daily Telegraph, 23
