Roman Villas Flashcards
How were Romano- British villas constructed?
- Centre of extensive rural estates
- Variation in design according to owner’s taste
- Usually partly or wholly stone- built
- Timber- framed structure on masonry footings
- Tiled roofs
Features of a Romano- British villa
- Tiled roof
- Multiple rooms
- Sometimes had underfloor heating
Features of a pre- Roman dwelling
- Thatched roof
- 1 room only
- Didn’t have underfloor heating
What other buildings might have been included in a villa estate?
- Accommodation for farm labourers
- Workshops
- Storage for farm produce
What features might have been included in a villa estate?
- Glazed windows
- Cellars
- Plastered walls
What was Lockleys villa like in 65AD?
Simple Cottage house
4 rooms in a row
Northernmost room was subdivided into 2
Whole building fronted by a verandon
What was Lockleys villa like in 150AD?
Stone corridor replaced verandon
Northern wing was added
Who lived in Lockley villa?
Roman officials, traders and wealthy natives with Romanised lifestyle
Give 2 advantages of the verandah
For the villas residence to have a view of the countryside
Stay dry if it was raining
Why is North Leigh called a “courtyard villa”?
As it is considered one of the larger villas of Roman Britain. It was at its most extensive in early 4th Century
Describe how North Leigh Villa developed from a winged- corridor villa
In 3rd Century residents added South west and north east wings. Original North Wing was rebuilt later. Then the villa incorporated 4 baths, 16 mosaic floors, 11 rooms with underfloor heating, a barn and a hall.
Who do you think might have lived in this villa and why?
Leading members of the native population who were co- opted into the empire. They were being rewarded with lavish buildings and a superior way to life.
