JULIUS Caesar would have to cross Newtown Road instead of the Rubicon to visit a Roman villa recreated in a Ronks-wood front room.

History buffs Paul and Liz Roberts drew inspiration from their honeymoon in Pompeii for the Changing Rooms-style revamp in their modern detached house.

The couple poured more than 4,500 - pounds not denarii - into transforming their living room and garden into a 1st Century villa.

A marble-effect floor, sumptuous antique furniture, statues and lamps have been lavished on their home, with a fountain, walkways and tropical plants outside.

Royal Grammar School librarian Mr Roberts said that it was after seeing Lawrence Lewellyn-Bowen embark on a similar project and visiting Pompeii that they began the transformation.

''Unlike the programme, we researched the type of decor and style for two years to get the right effect,'' he said.

''We used Roman colours - garish reds and deep golds - as well as painting frescoes on the walls.

''Although we have imported some antique furniture, it's amazing what you can pick up at local flea markets."

Mr Roberts, who is also known as Gladiator Memnon of the Legio II Augusta, is a member of a Portsmouth-based re-enactment group.

The revamp, he said, had gone down well with friends.

''They walk in and are wowed by it, but it's also very easy to live in a Roman-style room,'' he said.

''The rest of the house is norma,l so it's usually a shock when people enter the living room.''

The 46-year-old historian said it was also a success in light of the film Gladiator, released a year after the project began.

''I enjoyed the film immensely, but as an expert I did spot inaccuracies in it,'' he said.

''The Roman Army would probably have used pilems to throw in the battle scene and Maximus wouldn't have worn as much. But, in general, it was good viewing."

The Roberts have no immediate plans to revamp the rest of their detached home, but are still adding to their initial project.

''There are always more things to do, and who knows, in a few years we may scrap this and try something new,'' he said.