Other cultures had a significant influence on the development of ancient Roman villas. For example, the Etruscans, who lived in the area before the Romans, introduced the concept of the villa as a country estate. The Greeks also had a major influence on the design of Roman villas, introducing the idea of a central courtyard surrounded by a colonnade. The Greeks also introduced the idea of a peristyle, a courtyard surrounded by a colonnade of columns. Additionally, the Romans adopted the Greek practice of decorating the walls of their villas with frescoes and mosaics. The Romans also adopted the Greek practice of using marble for flooring and wall decoration. Finally, the Romans adopted the practice of using gardens and fountains to decorate their villas, which was a popular feature in the Hellenistic world.
