2. Types of housing
The Romans, like any civilization, had a variety of dwellings that
varied in quality depending on the wealth of the person living
there.
Sprawling estates
Town houses
Apartments
3. Villa
The most wealthy could have second homes on farms.
The villa could range from a sprawling estate with many buildings
and vast fields to a modest house with a garden.
It was a place to go and relax, but could also be rented out for an
income.
4. Domus
A domus was a single-family dwelling along the city street.
The rooms are centralized around a main hall or set of rooms (like
the living room and kitchen).
These homes came directly up to the sidewalk with no yard, but
rather a garden contained within the walls of the home at the rear
of the house.
Pic source:
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/houses/Roman/townhouses.htm
5. Insulae
The masses of Rome needed to live in multi-family dwellings, or
apartment buildings.
These could be arranged around a central courtyard that would let
in light or have a water source.
Most residents would need
to utilize the food shops
(restaurants) and public
latrines (toilets).
Source:
http://archipaedia.net/2009/05/style-history-ancient-roman/
6. Insulae (cont)
Insulae were not well constructed.At one point they were so prone
to collapse or fire, that they were limited to 3 stories and fire
regulations had to be created. For the Romans, the best apartments
were the ones on the ground floor or the first floor. (Sometimes,
the first floor would be rented out as shops.) The worst and least
expensive apartments were the ones at the top, since there were
more stairs to climb and the most dangerous.
7. Common Rooms
There were some rooms that were standard in the Roman house.
Atrium: living room and a reception room in which visitors were
received.(see pic)
Tablinum: a home office.
Peristylium: colonnaded courtyard.
Triclinium: the dining room. The Romans often entertained with
dinner parties, so this was a key room in the house.
Pic Source:
http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/2008/pompeii/villa_houses.shtm
8. http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/house.html
9. Atrium
The atrium was the reception room.
It contained a small hole in the roof (compluvium) which directed
rainwater to the shallow
basin (impluvium) below.
The compluvium also
provided much needed
light.
Pic source:
http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/mysearch.php?searchWords=roman+impluvium&mySubmit=Search
10. Tablinum
The tablinum was the study.
The paterfamilias would meet clientes in this room.
Pic source:
http://www.indiana.edu/~c494troy/papyri/getty_marble_tablinum.jpg
11. Peristylium
The peristylium was the colonnaded garden within the walls of the
house.
Pic source:
http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/2008/pompeii/courtyard.shtm
12. Triclinium
The triclinium was the Roman dining room.
Three diners would recline on each of three sides.One side was left
open in order for the slaves to bring in the food.
Pic source:
http://www.vanalstyneisd.org/Latinpg/triclinium.html
13. Exterior Design
Windows were placed high up to discourage thieves, as glass was
reserved only for the wealthiest people.In all, the outside of a
Roman house was unattractive and uninviting.
14. Interior Decoration
Frescoes were painted while the plaster was still wet. Subjects for
the paintings often included scenes from the country or
mythology.
Pic source:
http://www.historywiz.com/galleries/anc-romegallery.htm
Back
15. InteriorDecoration (cont)
The Romans also used mosaics to decorate their floors.The mosaics
could range from simple black and white geometrical designs to more
elaborate scenes from mythology.
Pic source:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Roman_mosaic_floor_LosAngeles_County_Museum_California.jpg
