The apparent remains of Roman emperor Nero’s extravagant banquet hall was unveiled by archaeologists in Rome yesterday (September 29).

The spectacle is a circular space that rotated day and night to imitate the Earth’s movement and to impress his guests.

Part of Nero’s sprawling Golden Palace, the room is thought to have been built to entertain government officials and VIPs, according to lead archaeologist Francoise Villedieu.

Known for his lavish and tyrannically depraved lifestyle, the emperor — who was the fifth and last Roman emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty — ruled from 54 A.D. to 68 A.D.

Thus far, the dig has revealed the foundations of the room, the rotating mechanism underneath and part of an attached space believed to be the kitchens.