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Roman Architecture and Art

Roman House (Domus)

  • Definition: The Roman house, known as "Domus" (plural: Domūs), served as the traditional dwelling for affluent Romans.

Key Components of a Domus:

  1. Fauces

    • Function: The entrance hallway leading into the house.

  2. Tabernae

    • Function: Shops or spaces for commercial activities, often located adjacent to the living spaces.

  3. Atrium

    • Function: The central reception area of the house, often open to the sky and typically contained the impluvium.

  4. Impluvium

    • Description: A shallow pool or basin in the atrium used to collect rainwater from the roof.

    • Example: Found in the House of Menander, Pompeii, before 79 C.E. (Photo by Carole Raddato, CC BY-SA 2.0).

  5. Tablinum

    • Function: An office or study area that provided a view of the atrium and peristyle.

  6. Triclinium

    • Function: The dining room, typically containing three couches.

  7. Alae

    • Function: Winged areas adjoining the atrium, used to display family portraits and other art.

  8. Cubiculum

    • Function: Small rooms or bedrooms typically opening off the atrium or peristyle.

  9. Culina

    • Function: The kitchen, where food was prepared.

  10. Posticum

    • Function: A secondary entrance, often located at the back of the house.

  11. Peristylium

    • Definition: A colonnaded garden area, often the most luxurious part of the house.

Roman Wall Painting Styles

  • FIRST STYLE Wall Painting

    • Context: Found in the fauces of the Samnite House, Herculaneum, dating back to the late 2nd century BCE.

  • THIRD STYLE Wall Painting

    • Detail: A fresco from cubiculum (bedroom) 15 of the Villa of Agrippa Postumus, Boscotrecase, Italy, circa 10 BCE. Height: 7' 8".

    • Collection: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

  • FOURTH STYLE Wall Paintings

    • Location: Ixion Room (triclinium P) of the House of the Vettii, Pompeii; dated around 70-79 CE.

  • Mosaics

    • Example: "Neptune and Amphitrite" mosaic from the House of Neptune and Amphitrite, Herculaneum; dated around 62-79 CE.

    • Additional Mosaic: Also found in the summer triclinium of the same house, dated 62-79 CE.

Art and Portraiture

  • Woman with Stylus

    • Context: A representational piece from Pompeii, dated circa 55-70 CE.

  • Seated Portrait of the Greek Poet Menander

    • Context: Detail of a Fourth Style mural painting in exedra 23 of the House of the Menander, Pompeii, dating back to circa 62-79 CE.

  • Still Life with Peaches

    • Detail: Fourth Style wall painting from Herculaneum, dated approximately 62-79 CE. Dimensions: 1' 2" x 1' 1.5". Collection: Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples.

  • Portrait of Caesar Augustus as General

    • Timeframe: Early 1st century CE.

  • Portrait Bust of Livia

    • Origin: From Arsinoe, Egypt; early first century CE; Material: Marble; Height: 1' 11.5". Found in Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen.

  • Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of the Augustan Peace)

    • Location: Rome, Italy; Dating: 13-9 BCE.

  • Procession of the Imperial Family

    • Description: Detail of the south frieze of the Ara Pacis, Rome (13-9 BCE); material: Marble.

  • Maison Carrée

    • Description: A temple in Nîmes, France; dated around 1-10 CE.

Roman Engineering and Infrastructure

  • Aqueduct of Segovia

    • Location: Spain.

    • Notable Year: 1699.

  • Arch of Titus

    • Location: Rome, Italy; built after 81 CE by Domitian to honor his brother, Emperor Titus.

    • Features: Victories depicted in the spandrels of the arcuated passageway.

  • Spoils of Jerusalem

    • Description: Relief panel within the Arch of Titus; created after 81 CE; Material: Marble; Height: 7' 10".

    • Significance: Commemorates the emperor's conquest of Judea, showing Roman soldiers triumphantly carrying spoils from the Jewish temple.

Flavian Portraiture

  • Portrait of Vespasian

    • Dating: Circa 75-79 CE; Material: Marble; Height: 1' 4". Location: Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen.

    • Description: Vespasian intended to distance himself from previous emperors, exemplified by his simpler, more realistic portrait style.

  • Portrait Bust of a Flavian Woman

    • Origin: From Rome, Italy; dated around 90 CE; Material: Marble; Height: 2' 1". Displayed at Museo Capitolino, Musei Capitolini, Rome.

    • Technique: Flavian sculptors reproduced elaborate hairstyles by drilling deep holes for corkscrew curls with a hammer and chisel for the face and hair.