chapter four


Chapter Four:
Roman Housing
In this chapter, I will be examining the interior layout of a typical roman villa and the furnishings and decoration of these rooms.
The influence of Greek architecture can clearly be seen on more wealthy Roman housing.
Below is a plan of a typical Roman residence, Each number refers to a different section of the house and I will in turn go through each of the areas denoted explaining them.
The classic roman residence was divided into two parts, each grouped around a different area. On the left of the plan one can see the area which is grouped around the atrium (denoted by number 1 on the plan). The atrium was a room that generally contained an opening in the roof, which allowed the circulation of fresh air and helped to regulate the temperature. The rectangle denoted by the number 5 on the plan indicates the impluvium which was a pool set in the floor of the atrium to catch the rainwater which fell into the room. Because the opening in the roof meant a weakening of the overall structure of the house, there needed to be some means of support for the roof. As a result, there are known to be at least five styles of atrium each employing a different means of support for the roof. These are:
‘atrium tuscanium: this type had no columns. The weight of the ceiling was carried by the rafters. though expensive to build, this seems to have been the most widespread type of atrium in the Roman house.
atrium tetrastylum: this type had one column at each corner of the impluvium.
atrium corinthium: this type was similar to the atrium tetrastylum but had a greater opening in the roof and a greater number of columns.
atrium displuviatum: the roof actually sloped towards the side walls, a large rainwater therefore ran off into other outlets than the impluvium.
atrium testudinatum: this atrium had no opening in the roof at all and was only seen in small, unimportant houses.’

The atrium was considered to be the centrepiece of the house and as such was the most decoratively furnished. The atrium also contained the lararium, which was the household chapel dedicated to the ancestral spirits and gods and goddesses of the roman family.
The second part of the house was centred around the peristylum (2) which was an open area in which plants would grow, and was sometimes home to a fountain in the middle. This was also an area open to the sky, and the natural rainfall would water the plants. The impluvium also contained an underground tank, which would store excess rainwater collected.
The house generally contained no windows, but gained its light and air circulation from these two areas. Each room was designed with a specific purpose and were generally all on floor level.
As the house was entered through the vestibulum(3) and fauces (4), on the immediate left and right were the Taberna (10). These were generally accessed from outside the house, and were probably used as shops. Access from the house enabled the tabernas to be used as other things, for example storage purposes if necessary. This wasn’t decorated in a grand manner, and sometimes split into two floors.Travelling in an anti clockwise direction around the atrium, we then arrive at a cubiculum (11). These were the bedrooms of the Roman houses. The Romans did not consider these to be important rooms in the house and were generally the smaller rooms in the house. The ceiling was low, and gave a cramped appearance. The floor was mosaiced and often a rectangular pattern would mark out the position of the bed on the floor.
The next kind of room reached is denoted by the number 6 on the plan and is entitled the Ala (pl. Alae). The function of this room is widely unknown, although in earlier houses where the atrium was covered, it is thought that these areas had windows which allowed in light and air, and later were included purely for traditional purposes.As we continue around the residence, you pass through the andron(12), which was simply a passage way between the atrium and peristylum. The pavimentum, or floor is made from concrete and richer houses would have mosaic on the surface.On the right as we continue the posticum (13)is passed. This was a back entrance used by servants, slaves, and people wishing to leave the house unnoticed. The next two rooms that are seen as we pass around the house are the bathroom (14), and the cucina,(15) or kitchen, both of which are situated on the right hand side as they are passed.
The next area noted on the plan is the exhedra/oecus (9). Both names seem to have been common names for this room. This was a large dining room or lounge, and before the intoroduction of the triclinium the family would have eaten their meals here, and the children would have learned how to read and write in here also. This room would have had a mosaic floor and sometimes columns lining the walls also, in which case it was referred to as the oecus corinthium.
As we circle the peristylum we then reach the tablinium (8). This is situated between the atrium and peristylum. It was the main reception area of the house, and it was here that the family would receive guests, it was separated from the atrium by a curtain, and from the peristylum by wooden screens or doors, which on hot days could be opened fully to increase ventilation in the house. This area was also used as a study for the paterfamilias. The family also ate here in the summer, as it was the coolest place in the house due to the air flow between the two ventilation openings. As we exit the tablinium and turn right, we arrive at the next room, the triclinium(7). This was a room specifically set aside for dining in, and the family would have entertained guests in this room. This room was introduced to the house as the Greek practice of reclining whilst eating became commonplace. Continuing around the atrium brings us back to the entrance of the house.
The ceilings of the roman house were painted bright colours and were vaulted. The doors were panelled and carved or plated with bronze. The floors were made from marble slabs , or in richer households mosaic flooring.
The Romans furnished their houses quite simply, with just what was seen to be the essentials: ‘Even wealthy homeowners had mostly essential articles: couches, chairs, tables and lamps. There was an occasional chest, wooden cabinet with doors, brazier for coals, and a water clock (seldom).’
A couch acted as both a sofa and a bed and mattresses and cushions were used. Tables were ornately designed and were made using stone or wooden tops, and on occasion, thin sheets of metal. The main storage device was the chest, which came in varying sizes and materials. They provided the house with heat using charcoal stoves and artificial light was brought into the house by the means of oil or melted fat lams. Torches were also another common method of providing light to the Roman home.



Bibliography:
Sources quoted in this chapter:
- Rome Exposed [http://www.classicsunveiled.com/romel/html/intdecor.html]
- The Roman House [http://www.roman-empire.net/society/soc-house.html]

Sources consulted whilst researching:
- Kamm, Antony. ‘The Romans: An Introduction’ (London: Routledge 2003)
- Rome Exposed [http://www.classicsunveiled.com/romel/html/intdecor.html]
- Rome Exposed [http://www.classicsunveiled.com/romel/html/romehouse.html]
- The Roman House [http://www.roman-empire.net/society/soc-house.html]
- The Roman house(2) [http://abacus.bates.edu/~mimber/Rciv/house.htm]