In July 1741, a French engineer named Pierre Bardet de Villeneuve takes Alcubierre’s job. For the next four years, Bardet has his laborers working at a teriffic pace. He digs into many large public buildings, including the basilica.
There he finds marble portrait statues of the Roman emperors Augustus,
Claudius, and Titus.
Under Bardet, the excavation becomes even more chaotic. Adding to the problems is Bardet’s prickly personality. He often fights with other officials involved in the excavation. He is a disaster in dealing with the residents of Resina. After years of digging, they have become tired of the excavation. It has disrupted their lives. Many of their houses are falling down. The tunnels dug under the town have weakened their foundations. In some areas, the ground has fallen into the tunnels. This has collapsed buildings and destroyed farm fields.
Pierre Bardet de Villeneuve and his crew found marble statues in the basilica, including this one of the Roman emperor Titus. Titus ruled from a. d. 79 to a. d. 81.
Whenever the townspeople complain, Bardet responds with utter contempt. On one occasion, he butts heads with a merchant named Sportullo. Bardet invites Sportullo to tour the tunnels. When Sportullo refuses, Bardet decides to teach him a lesson. He sends guards to bring him to the tunnel at bayonet point. Shaming Sportullo angers the townspeople. They complain to Bardet’s superiors. After receiving reprimands from his supervisors, Bardet becomes fed up with his job. He repeatedly asks to leave his post. Finally, in 1745, he is replaced by Alcubierre, who is well enough to go back to work.
World History
