![Picture](/uploads/2/5/1/9/25196676/1830913.png?284)
1) Fauces
The fauces in the Roman domus acted like a foyer would in the modern world.
The passageway lead from the street outside into the atrium.
2) Taberna
Taberna, or the plural tabernae, were shops located at the front of the house open to passerby's on the street, but was not an entrance to the interior of the house These shops were constructed with barrel vaults and typically sold food, wine, and bread.
3) Atrium
One of the most popular and public rooms in the domus, the atrium acted as as a central hall where anyone who entered the house could venture into.
Because the atrium was such a public room, it was often highly decorated to impress the public and show the status of the homeowner. Decorations like paintings and mosaics were often found in this area (you can learn more about it in the "Decoration" tab.) The atrium is also where the homeowners could show off their genealogy with wax molds of deceased family members called imagines.
4) Impluvium
The atrium had an open roof above it so that when it rained, the water would go into a basin called the impluvium and catch all of the rain water to be used in the pipes around the house. Most of the rain water caught by the impluvium went straight to the kitchen to be used for cooking and cleaning.
5) Tablinum
The tablinum was situated between the atrium and the peristyle, or garden, and usually had no doors or walls on either side, which allowed the homeowner or guest to look straight down the axis of the domus and see almost everything (Nevett, 2005:5) This semi-open space also allowed the tenants to let air flow through the house for circulation on hot summer days. Although it was common practice for business to be practiced at many locations in the domus, the tablinum was the central locations for business transactions. The business ritual practiced in the tablinum was called negotium and salutatio.
6) Peristyle/Hortus
The peristyle was a garden located out in the open, but within the walls of the domus and was a display of luxury. Ancient Romans had a fascination with the domestication of nature and valued the peristyle very much. Here, they would grow plants, herbs, flowers, and more. The peristyle was supported by columns and surrounded with small statues and pieces of art, like paintings. On sunny days, ancient Romans could dine and socialize outside in their peristyles.
7) Triclinium
Acting as a dining room in ancient Rome, the triclinium was an area for eating and socializing. The word triclinium translates into "thee couch room" (Nevett, 2005:6) which describes the three couches aligned in a U-shape. Dinner parties and banquets were very important to the ancient Romans as it was another opportunity for the homeowners to flaunt their wealth and status. Convivium was the ritual practiced in the triclinium which highlighted the social status of the visitors and homeowner. Where the guests sat in proximity to the homeowner was a tell-tale sign of social status. Convivium also gave the homeowners the liberty to exhibit his slaves and decorations.
8) Alae
Not much is known about the use of the alae today. Some speculate that the alae were built in accordance to tradition, if nothing else. (Nevett, 2005:6)
9) Cubiculum
The cubiculum were small bedrooms in the domus, which opened up to the atrium. Although many people in today's society spend a lot of time and money making their bedroom fit their personalities, the ancient Romans did not value the cubiculum as much. Due to the small, cramped space it was simply a place to sleep, rather than hang out. (Kleiner, 2010: 34)
The fauces in the Roman domus acted like a foyer would in the modern world.
The passageway lead from the street outside into the atrium.
2) Taberna
Taberna, or the plural tabernae, were shops located at the front of the house open to passerby's on the street, but was not an entrance to the interior of the house These shops were constructed with barrel vaults and typically sold food, wine, and bread.
3) Atrium
One of the most popular and public rooms in the domus, the atrium acted as as a central hall where anyone who entered the house could venture into.
Because the atrium was such a public room, it was often highly decorated to impress the public and show the status of the homeowner. Decorations like paintings and mosaics were often found in this area (you can learn more about it in the "Decoration" tab.) The atrium is also where the homeowners could show off their genealogy with wax molds of deceased family members called imagines.
4) Impluvium
The atrium had an open roof above it so that when it rained, the water would go into a basin called the impluvium and catch all of the rain water to be used in the pipes around the house. Most of the rain water caught by the impluvium went straight to the kitchen to be used for cooking and cleaning.
5) Tablinum
The tablinum was situated between the atrium and the peristyle, or garden, and usually had no doors or walls on either side, which allowed the homeowner or guest to look straight down the axis of the domus and see almost everything (Nevett, 2005:5) This semi-open space also allowed the tenants to let air flow through the house for circulation on hot summer days. Although it was common practice for business to be practiced at many locations in the domus, the tablinum was the central locations for business transactions. The business ritual practiced in the tablinum was called negotium and salutatio.
6) Peristyle/Hortus
The peristyle was a garden located out in the open, but within the walls of the domus and was a display of luxury. Ancient Romans had a fascination with the domestication of nature and valued the peristyle very much. Here, they would grow plants, herbs, flowers, and more. The peristyle was supported by columns and surrounded with small statues and pieces of art, like paintings. On sunny days, ancient Romans could dine and socialize outside in their peristyles.
7) Triclinium
Acting as a dining room in ancient Rome, the triclinium was an area for eating and socializing. The word triclinium translates into "thee couch room" (Nevett, 2005:6) which describes the three couches aligned in a U-shape. Dinner parties and banquets were very important to the ancient Romans as it was another opportunity for the homeowners to flaunt their wealth and status. Convivium was the ritual practiced in the triclinium which highlighted the social status of the visitors and homeowner. Where the guests sat in proximity to the homeowner was a tell-tale sign of social status. Convivium also gave the homeowners the liberty to exhibit his slaves and decorations.
8) Alae
Not much is known about the use of the alae today. Some speculate that the alae were built in accordance to tradition, if nothing else. (Nevett, 2005:6)
9) Cubiculum
The cubiculum were small bedrooms in the domus, which opened up to the atrium. Although many people in today's society spend a lot of time and money making their bedroom fit their personalities, the ancient Romans did not value the cubiculum as much. Due to the small, cramped space it was simply a place to sleep, rather than hang out. (Kleiner, 2010: 34)