The Roman House

Atrium

• OFFICIAL BUSINESS/SERIOUS

• roof was open to the sky, which allowed rain to fall into a pool-IMPLUVIUM

  • water from impluvium could be stored underground to be used in the kitchen later

  • COMPLUVIUM-the hole in the roof(often decorated)

• Cubiculum-rooms surrounding the atrium used for numerous activities

• Tablinum-the office between the atrium and the garden

  • focus of atrium, had special decorations to impress clients

Hortus and Peristyle

• FAMILY/FRIENDS

• Peristyle-behind the tablinum; was a walkway surrounding a garden

• Triclinium-dining room(hosted dinner parties)

  • Summer triclinium-located near the peristyle(so guests can see garden)

  • Winter triclinium-located near atrium(so it is warm in winter)

  • 3 couches-diners would lay on their stomachs and share the food in the tables in the center

Other Rooms

• Culina-the kitchen; located near peristyle(back of house)

  • had a platform where food was prepared on

• Latrine-the restroom

  • located near kitchen so cooking water can be used to clean it out

• Lararium-room to worship household gods

  • could include a small shrine, painting, alter, or small statues

  • worshipped Vesta(goddess of hearth/home), the Penates(ancestors), the Lares(health/food), and the Genus(spirits)