![]() The Domus of the rich people consisted of multiple large rooms in addition to indoor courtyards and gardens. Additionally, rich families generally had a country home as well which was known as villa. The ancient Roman houses of wealthy Romans were called ‘Domus’ and were found in almost all the major cities throughout the empire. During the later years of the republic and throughout the empire, women could also work in various professions. A good part of the day for the husband was spent working while the wife took care of the household chores. Eventually, the wife could go to baths, accompany her husband at dinners, and also attend theatres and games. But the running of the household affairs was the domain of the wife and it was also she who looked after the education of the children.ĭuring the early days of Roman Republic, the wife was not allowed to appear in public but this changed as time passed. Home life of everyday Roman familiesįamily was the primary social unit in ancient Rome and the male head of the family had absolute authority in public and private affairs of the family. The technique of fired bricks was also important and was perfected during the first century AD.Ī visual representation of the inside and impluvium of a Roman domus. This was known as ‘opus caementicium’ and was laid into timber structures where it hardened and resulted in very solid walls. At the later stage, the use of concrete became important for construction. The mortar developed this way was resistant to water and was extensively used for construction works. With the improvement in stone cutting techniques, stones of uniform size began to be used.Ī very effective kind of mortar was developed by the ancient Romans made by mixing volcanic ash with lime. The earliest houses were built having walls with irregular shaped stones. The building techniques used for the construction of ancient Roman houses evolved with the passage of time. ![]() These structures of the houses of elite class were very durable and prone to water and fire. Concrete walls faced with stone or burned bricks were known as ‘opus incertum’ for irregular sized stones and ‘opus reticulatum’ for regular sized stones. Waterproof lining for cisterns was provided with cement combined with crushed terracotta. Additionally, fine white marble stucco was used as a decorative covering. During the early times of Roman Republic, stone and unburned brick was extensively used for permanent buildings. For temporary structures, wood was the preferred material. Building materials used in the large homes of the rich varied significantly. These were not very strong houses and were often prone to fire and collapse. ![]() The houses of the poor people were generally built with such materials as timber, mud brick, and primitive form of concrete. It consisted of a garden that served as a meeting point.Īn ancient Roman farmers kitchen. An important feature of the houses of the rich people was an open courtyard known as a peristylum. ![]() There were many large and well-furnished rooms in addition to private baths. The rich people, on the other hand, mostly had large single-storey houses built around a central hall called an atrium. Roman people usually ate at local inns and visited local public baths for washing. People from the lower classes lived in small houses or flats which had two rooms at most which were mainly reserved for sleeping. The patricians lived in grand houses with impressive architecture while the plebeians lived in simple houses and homes.ĭifferent housing styles and designs were used in ancient Rome for people belonging to different social classes. People from the upper classes were known as Patricians while those belonging to the lower classes were called Plebeians. Rich people and wealthy freedman had elaborately constructed large houses while the poor people lived in small quarters or apartments. The Roman society, like most other ancient societies, was divided into various social classes, and like every other domain of life, this class consciousness of the Romans was also reflected in their houses and homes. ![]()
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