Roman Housing - Design and Layout Flashcards
What was a domus?
large, private roman house for wealthy
What was an insula?
roman name for a block of flats that most romans lived in
How many floors did an insult have? How would you access them?
3-5 w external and internal staircases with impressive doorways
What were the insulae made of?
from late 1st century bc they were made of brick-faced concrete, roofs of wooden beams with terracotta tiles and at ostia there is evidence of glazed windows - not safe
What were the floors of the insula?
ground floors that faced onto the street tended to be shops, which had an upper mezzanine level used for storage or even a living space
Describe the layout of an insulae (wealthy and standard)
wealthy - large apartments w 2 large reception rooms together w a few smaller rooms, including a kitchen and toilet facilities
standard - 2-4 rooms on ground and upper floors
Describe the atrium and impluvium
public and formal part of house to impress and meet visitors, display signs of wealth and have household shrine w masks of ancestors. impluvium was a rectangular pool where water fell for a water supply for the house (from compluvium = hole in roof), business
What was the peristyle?
colonaded garden w ornate decorations, variety of flowers, trees, fountains, statues - feel of country, pleasure
describe the entry passage
led into atrium, painted ornately w signs or mosaics
describe the shop
external rooms of house at front to be rented out to local tradesmen or managed by family, extra source of income
What was the triclinium?
opened onto peristyle, dining room for typical dinner party
What was the tablinium?
located between the atrium and peristyle, may have been study or bedroom, private business
What was the bedroom/private room?
small private rooms for private meetings or sleeping, sometimes just big enough for a bed and chair
What was the recess?
small room with open side
What was the kitchen?
small and cramped with a cooking hearth
