ancient rome

Opus caementicium

mixture of lime mortar, water, sand, and aggregates such as small stones or broken bricks. used extensively in building structures such as aqueducts, bridges, and buildings because of its durability and strength

Rudus

mortar; used as glue to hold bricks, blocks etc. together.

Opus signinium

usually pink or yellowish color, contains sand and fragments of ground ceramics and if available - pozzolana; favored for its resistance to water and ease of application

Hypocaustum

underfloor heating system, used to heat houses, public baths (thermae), and other buildings

Lararium

a shrine found in Roman households dedicated to the to the guardian spirits of the Roman household.

Ruina montium

an ancient Roman mining technique described by Pliny the Elder, it involved digging extensive tunnels and chambers within a mountain, then causing a controlled collapse of the entire structure to access the ore

Negotiatores

type of businessmen in ancient Rome; they lent money on interest.

Mercatores

They were present in all the open-air markets or covered shops, manning stalls or selling goods by the side of the road.

Mansio

an official stopping place or inn along Roman roads every seven to twelve Roman miles, used by government officials, couriers, and sometimes other travelers as a trading spot.

Corbita

Roman merchant ship used primarily for transporting goods across the Mediterranean Sea. Slow and difficult to manouver

auspicium

interpretation of the will of the gods by observing the behavior of birds

dii consentes

the twelve principal deities of the Roman pantheon; it included six male and six female deities.

senatus consultum de bacchanalibus

decree issued by the Roman Senate in 186 BCE to restrict the Bacchanalia

mithraeum

was a temple or sacred space dedicated to the worship of Mithras, a god associated with a mystery religion; often located underground or in caves to resemble the cavern where Mithras was believed to have slain the sacred bull

domus aurea

Golden House; vast and extravagant palace complex built by Emperor Nero in Rome after the great fire of 64 CE which started a new trend forbigger and better concrete architecture.

insula

Large apartment buildings that housed most of the population of a Roman city

basilica

they were first built to house audience facilities for government officials. When Christianity became the state religion, this kind of building was adapted to Christian worship.

comitium

the original open-air public meeting space of Ancient Rome, center of political activity.

rostra

a large platform in the Roman Forum used for public oratory and speeches. Name comes from the bronze ship beaks that dedicated its front.

apodyterium

changing room

frigidarium

room with cold water bath

tepidarium

room with warm water bath

caldarium

room with hot water bath

palaestra

outdoor area similar to a gym

mortarium

Roman ceramic bowl used for grinding and mixing ingredients, Roman “food processor”

dipinto

term used to describe an inscription or painting applied directly onto a wall or other surface in ancient Rome

castellum aquae

Roman water distribution structure, typically a reservoir or water tower, that served as a central point for distributing water from aqueducts to various parts of a city

Sacerdos vestalis

the priestesses of Vesta, the goddess of the hearth, home, and family in ancient Roman religion, responsible for maintaining the sacred fire in the Temple of Vesta

Aes grave triens

type of Roman bronze coin, they often featured various symbols and images, such as animals or deities, on their surfaces

The Tuscan order

Order like the Doric, except this one has a base.

The Compostite order

combined elements of both the Ionic and Corinthian.

Vestibulum

Long narrow hallway that led from front door to the atrium. Floor often decorated by mosaics.

Atrium

Large airy room, lighted by opening in roof. Formal room where guests were received. In the center, below the opening in the roof was a shallow pool that caught the rainwater.

Impluvium

small pool in middle of Atrium

Cubiculum

Small rooms used for a number of different purposes. On upper story and interior of the house they functioned as bedrooms.

Triclinium

dining room, named after the couches found in dining rooms.

Tablinum

The house museum or master study. Family records were stored here. Busts of famous ancestors were displayed here. Business could also be conducted here. Often had a mosaic floor and wall paintings.

Culina

kitchen; small, dark & poorly ventilated

Peristilium

Open courtyard within the domus

Exhedra

Large, elegant room, usually used for formal entertainment and lavish dinner parties.

Alae

the open rooms (or alcoves) on each side of the atrium;

Taberna

had separate entrances that opened to the street and did not connect with the rest of the house. Used literally as shops, rented out by owner of home.