Buried beneath six meters of heavy volcanic debris just outside of ancient Pompeii, Villa Oplontis stands as one of the most magnificent — and mysterious — estates of the Roman Empire.

As excavations resume for the first time in decades, this two-thousand year old time capsule provides a window into the lavish playground of the elite built along the Bay of Naples during Rome’s Golden Age. Unearthing exquisite frescoes, lavish baths, and a vast swimming pool, archaeologists follow a trail of clues pointing to the villa’s enigmatic owner.

Could Villa Oplontis have been the seaside retreat of Empress Poppaea Sabina, the second wife of Nero? In the shadows of this hedonistic estate, a brutal foundation built upon slave labor is revealed, giving audiences a glimpse into Rome’s rigid social hierarchies. From unadorned quarters to discoveries in Villa B, how did the enslaved class live under the yoke of extreme domination? Skeletons of eruption victims in Villa B capture the last moments of two groups straddling the social divide.

As archaeologists continue to investigate the Villa Oplontis, the dark timelines of Nero, Poppaea Sabina, and a harrowing eruption come into focus.