Villa rustica ("countryside villa") was the term used by the ancient Romans to denote a villa set in the open countryside, often as the hub of a large agricultural estate (latifundium). The adjective rusticum was used to distinguish it from an urban or resort villa. The villa rustica would thus serve both as a residence of the landowner and his family (and retainers) and also as a farm management centre. It would often comprise separate buildings to accommodate farm labourers and sheds and barns for animals and crops. In modern British archaeology, a villa rustica is commonly (and misleadingly) referred to simply as a "Roman villa".

References

• John T. Smith: Roman Villas. A Study in Social Structure. Routledge, London, 1997. ISBN 0-415-16719-1
• John Percival: The Roman Villa. A Historical Introduction. Batsford, London, 1988 (Paperback).