But what about the homes of ordinary Romans? What were they like? What features did they have? How did the average person live in one of the world’s greatest empires?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Insulae<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Most urban middle-class and poor Romans lived in apartment buildings called insulae. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n These structures were built primarily of brick or concrete and were typically three to five stories tall, housing up to 50 people. On the bottom floor were shops and restaurants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Insulae were often overcrowded and unsanitary, and many associated them with poverty and crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite their negative reputation, insulae were essential to Roman urban life, providing affordable housing for a large portion of the population. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They were typically located in the densest parts of the city, close to public amenities such as markets and baths, and offered easy access to employment opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They were divided into small living spaces, often no more than a single room for an entire family. In many cases, tenants shared communal kitchens and latrines with other building residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike modern apartment buildings that get more luxurious the higher you are, the larger apartments were closer to the ground floor. This made them safer, as fires were a constant threat in the city.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The domus<\/em> was a single-family residence typically inhabited by wealthy Romans. However, the size of a domus<\/em> varied greatly, ranging from small houses to opulent mansions. Some could be as large as an entire city block if the owner were wealthy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Multiple chambers, indoor courtyards, gardens, and exquisitely painted walls were encompassed within the domus<\/em>. Let’s explore how the different areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The peristyle was often decorated with statues, paintings, and frescoes. Inside there were bedrooms on either side and off of it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These rooms would be elaborately furnished with mosaics or marble floors in wealthy homes. Most houses had kitchens and dining rooms near them where families could prepare meals together when they weren’t eating out at restaurants or taverns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People spent most of their time outdoors because they didn’t have central heating systems like we do today. However, they did have hypocausts (underfloor heating) which kept them warm during cold weather so they could still spend time inside during winter months when many other parts of Europe were frozen over. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another feature common to all Roman homes was porticos which acted as verandas. Romans could relax outside and enjoy fresh air without being bothered by insects or getting rained on during spring showers.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Porticos were usually located next to dining areas so that diners could eat undercover. They were also used as passageways from one part of a house to another, especially if courtyards separated those parts of the house. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Every domus<\/em> in Rome had its bathroom complete with running water! This was unheard of in other ancient civilizations like Greece<\/a> and Egypt, which used public baths for personal hygiene. <\/p>\n\n\n\nDomus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Peristyle<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Porticos<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bathroom<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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