Roman Housing
This topic explores the role of temples in ancient Greek and Roman religion, focusing on their layout, use, and the function of associated officials and rituals. It covers specific Greek temples (Parthenon, Temple of Zeus at Olympia) and Roman temples (Temple of Fortuna Virilis, Pantheon), alongside the roles of priests, priestesses, and sacrificial practices.
Topic Overview
Roman housing provides a fascinating window into the daily lives, social structures, and cultural values of ancient Rome. In Classical Civilisation (OCR GCSE), this topic explores the physical remains of houses in Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Rome itself, focusing on the domus (townhouse) and the insula (apartment block). Understanding Roman housing is crucial because it reveals how Romans organised their private and public lives, from the layout of rooms to the decoration of walls and floors. The topic also connects to wider themes such as social hierarchy, gender roles, and the influence of Greek culture on Roman domestic architecture.
The domus, typically owned by wealthy citizens, was centred around the atrium and peristyle, with rooms like the tablinum (study), triclinium (dining room), and cubicula (bedrooms). In contrast, the insula housed the urban poor in cramped, multi-storey blocks, often with shops on the ground floor. By studying these structures, students learn how architecture reflected status: the grand entrance (fauces) and elaborate frescoes of a domus advertised the owner's wealth, while insulae were prone to fire and collapse. This topic also introduces key archaeological evidence, such as the plaster casts from Pompeii and the writings of Vitruvius, which help reconstruct Roman domestic life.
Mastering Roman housing is essential for the OCR GCSE exam, as it appears in both the 'Roman City Life' and 'Daily Life in the Roman World' components. Students must be able to describe features of houses, explain their functions, and analyse how they reflect Roman society. The topic also builds skills in evaluating sources, such as comparing literary descriptions with archaeological remains. Ultimately, Roman housing is not just about bricks and mortar—it reveals the values, aspirations, and inequalities of one of history's greatest civilisations.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →Domus: A single-family townhouse for the wealthy, centred around the atrium (reception hall with impluvium) and peristyle (colonnaded garden). Key rooms include the tablinum (study), triclinium (dining room), and cubicula (bedrooms).
- →Insula: A multi-storey apartment block for the lower classes, often poorly built with wooden upper floors. Ground floors housed shops (tabernae), while upper floors contained cramped flats (cenacula).
- →Decoration: Frescoes (wall paintings) in the First to Fourth Styles, mosaics (e.g., the Alexander Mosaic), and marble veneers. These displayed wealth and cultural tastes, often depicting mythological scenes or landscapes.
- →Social hierarchy: The domus reinforced the patron-client relationship through the atrium, where clients gathered. The layout separated public (front) and private (back) spaces, reflecting gender roles (e.g., women in the gynaeceum).
- →Archaeological evidence: Key sites include the House of the Vettii (Pompeii), the House of the Faun (Pompeii), and the Insula Arriana Polliana (Herculaneum). Plaster casts preserve organic remains like wooden furniture.
What You Need to Demonstrate
Key skills and knowledge for this topic
- Understanding of temple layout including the naos/cella and cult statue
- Knowledge of the position and function of the altar
- Roles and responsibilities of Greek officials (hiereus, hiereia, mantis)
- Roles and responsibilities of Roman officials (Pontiffs, Pontifex Maximus, Augurs, Vestal Virgins, Haruspex)
- Understanding the purpose and process of animal sacrifice
- Ability to compare Greek and Roman temple use and religious practices
- Knowledge of specific prescribed temples: Parthenon, Temple of Zeus at Olympia, Pantheon, Temple of Fortuna Virilis
Marking Points
Key points examiners look for in your answers
- Understanding of temple layout including the naos/cella and cult statue
- Knowledge of the position and function of the altar
- Roles and responsibilities of Greek officials (hiereus, hiereia, mantis)
- Roles and responsibilities of Roman officials (Pontiffs, Pontifex Maximus, Augurs, Vestal Virgins, Haruspex)
- Understanding the purpose and process of animal sacrifice
- Ability to compare Greek and Roman temple use and religious practices
- Knowledge of specific prescribed temples: Parthenon, Temple of Zeus at Olympia, Pantheon, Temple of Fortuna Virilis
Examiner Tips
Expert advice for maximising your marks
- 💡Ensure you can identify and describe the key features of the prescribed temples
- 💡Be prepared to compare the role of priests and priestesses in both cultures
- 💡Use specific terminology (e.g., naos, cella, hiereus, haruspex) accurately
- 💡Practice linking visual evidence from temple architecture to the literary descriptions of sacrifice
- 💡Use specific examples: When describing a domus, name a real house (e.g., House of the Vettii) and its features (e.g., the Fourth Style frescoes in the oecus). This shows detailed knowledge and impresses examiners.
- 💡Link to society: Always explain how housing reflects Roman values. For example, the grand atrium of a domus demonstrates the importance of the patron-client system, while the lack of kitchens in insulae shows reliance on street food.
- 💡Evaluate sources: Compare literary sources (e.g., Vitruvius on architecture) with archaeological evidence (e.g., the actual remains of Pompeii). Discuss reliability—for instance, Vitruvius describes ideal houses, but real ones varied.
Common Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers
- Confusing the roles of specific Greek and Roman religious officials
- Failing to link the physical layout of the temple to its religious function
- Generalising religious practices without distinguishing between Greek and Roman contexts
- Neglecting to use both literary and visual/material evidence in arguments
- Misconception: All Romans lived in grand domus. Correction: The majority lived in insulae, which were cramped, dark, and dangerous. Only the elite could afford a domus.
- Misconception: The atrium was the main living room. Correction: The atrium was a formal reception space for clients and visitors, not a family living area. The peristyle was used for relaxation and dining.
- Misconception: Roman houses had no windows. Correction: While domus had few external windows for security, they had large openings (compluvium) in the roof for light and rain. Insulae had more windows but were often poorly lit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Before You Start
Prior knowledge that will help with this topic
- •Basic knowledge of Roman social structure (patricians, plebeians, slaves) to understand how housing reflected status.
- •Familiarity with the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, as Pompeii and Herculaneum provide key archaeological evidence.
- •Understanding of Greek influence on Roman culture, especially in architecture (e.g., the peristyle derived from Greek courtyards).
Likely Command Words
How questions on this topic are typically asked
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