Housing in Ancient Rome

Types of Residences

Villa

• Large countryside residence.
• Owned by the super-rich.

Insulae

• Urban apartment blocks, up to seven floors.
• Most common housing for average Roman citizens.
• Ground floor: shops called 'tabernae'.
• Upper floors: apartments known as 'canacula'.
• Wealthier residents lived on the first floor with better amenities.
• Higher floors had smaller, poorer apartments, sometimes wooden sheds on rooftops.
• Prone to fires, structural issues, and instability.

Domus

• City mansions for the wealthiest Romans.
• Privately owned properties.
• Important for social status and political participation.

Social Dynamics

• Residences reflected social and political status.
• Owning a domus was crucial for aspiring politicians.
• "Homines novi" were new men who climbed the social ladder without aristocratic backgrounds.
  • Example: Cicero.

Case Study: Quintus Lucretius Ofella

• General of equestrian rank under Sulla.
• Needed a domus to advance politically.
• Domus construction involved expensive materials and elaborate decorations.
• Domus architecture:
  • Entrance: vestibulum and atrium.
  • Key rooms: dining room (triclinium), study room (tablinium), bedrooms (cubicula), kitchen (culina).
  • Courtyard (peristulium) with additional access for servants.
• Domus had no street-facing windows for safety.
• Since the 1st century BC, Domus referred to both the building and household.

Villas

• Opella sought a villa to enhance his status.
• Types of villas:
  • Villa suburbana: countryside residence.
  • Villa rustica: included agricultural facilities.
• Villas emphasized natural placement, panoramic views, and gardens.
• Feature-rich: cryptai, porticos, baths, mosaic art, libraries, and heating (hypocaust system).
• Villas symbolized wealth and were used for leisure activities.

Downfall of Ofella

• Attempted to run for consulship against Sulla's wishes.
• Was killed publicly by Sulla's centurion due to his political aspirations.