TWO PLACES AT ONCE
POMPEIIAN HOME
Pompeiian houses were extremely well constructed with many of the wealthy having houses almost identical to the empire’s. The poor only lived in flats or apartments which represented the lack of wealth a Roman has.
Upper-Classed Romans
A domus was a home which the wealthy and upper classed lived in. Although these houses originated from Ancient Greece, many can be found throughout Pompeii. The superior romans would also interpret costly paintings, columns, marble lining and frescoes in their houses. With multiple rooms, indoor courtyards and gardens well organised, the more elite romans had an elaborately laid out home. An entrance hall (vestibulum) would lead to a central hall (atrium) where an altar to the household gods would be incorporated. Bedrooms would then be found with a dining room close by. This way, guests could relax while having a dinner party. A living room or study (tablinum) would be then followed by a dining room. Glass windows were not ordinarily found as glass as they were not quite common in ancient Rome. The master bedrooms had a wooden bed and a couch, with ordinary bedrooms only consisting of only a bed. At the back of the house, a small kitchen would be then found where the cook would spread most of their time. Slaves had no area as to where they would sleep and thus, they slept at the door of their master’s bedroom at night. Furthermore, the richest families of Pompeii would have a country house recognized as a villa. There were two general types of villas: the villa Urbana, which was an estate which could be adequately accessed to from another city, and the Cilla rustica, although servants stayed at this farm house, they were charged.
Lower-Classed Romans
Poor Romans, which were most of the population of Pompeii, would commonly live in crowded and dirty areas of the city in an old apartment, perceived as an insulae. These flats built extremely close to one another with less convenient when looking for privacy. Although an insulae did have running water, it had poor construction, usually built of timber, mud bricks and concrete. These buildings were around seven stories high and therefore could in habitat approximately 40 people at the most. Some lower classed Romans in Pompeii lived above malls. These houses were comprehended as flats where a Roman tradesman would usually be found. However, circumstances were not too pleasant with a whole family having to crown in an apartment house. Some may even lose the privilege of running water and would need to gather water in crowded of Pompeii. Additionally, less fortunate Romans did not have toilets and consequently had to use public toilets (latrine).
