Domus, Dulcis Domas: Life In Ancient Rome

There were usually two types of dwellings which were common in Roman times, Insulae and domus.

The influence of Hellenistic Greek became evident in their new luxurious lifestyles. “Wealthy Romans now built elaborate private houses and financed the construction of temples, public buildings, and monuments in prominent locales” (Boatwright, 5). This was a source of conflict between pro- Hellenistic men such as Scipio Aemilianus and traditional conservative Cato the Elder. “Greater wealth, more lavish lifestyles, and closer familiarity with Greek culture provoked a response among certain members of the Roman Senate. Some- Cato the Elder Was the most prominent - denounced luxury and, when in office, sought to limit it” (Boatwright,

A Roman Villa was a upper-class country house built for Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. A Roman Villa is a brilliant architecture complexes and were decorated with paintings and sculpture. A Villa of a wealthy Roman family was much larger and more delightful than a regular standard Roman house. A Roman Villa had multiple rooms. The multiple rooms included a triclinium (dining room), peristyle (garden), impluvium (pool), culina (kitchen), and cubiculum (the bedrooms). Some Roman Villas had sloping roofs, covered in broaded tiles. The Roman Villas windows were covered with blinds of linen, but most likely covered with shutters of wood. The very wealthy had glass windows. Roman villas had water straight piped to them. Lead pipes brought water to the villa.

The main purpose of the Roman Perystile was of a garden or a beautiful arranged place, where people were able to have walks or spend time outside the house on their own property. The columns were built with two aims, the first one was for supporting the roof, and the second one to create a beautiful architectural space, filled with specific roman details. Contrarily, for the Mesopotamians, this place were designed only for technical and functional purposes that were supposed to bring sun light and fresh air into the house, or to keep the temperature cool.

The genre of this artwork is domestic architecture and the style is a Roman atrium house. It is a combination of Samnite and Hellenistic styles. Those who lived in these houses were upper-class citizens who could offer to build their own home. Many times Senators and Equestrians had clients (commoners, freed people, and slaves) that

The Roman Pantheon is a monumental building that has clearly influenced many forms of architecture throughout history. The entire building has been constructed of concrete and at the time in history, is an extraordinary feat to accomplish with its dome form with no real interior structural support. Although the Pantheon has influenced many buildings, it is not particularly an eye pleasing building to view compared to the pavilion in an English Garden from the 18th Century. For example, the exterior of the Pantheon consists of an octastyle portico, backed against a tall, square attic block connecting the cylindrical walls and the portico. This combination of different forms and shapes coming together does not create a pleasing connection or

Ancient Rome is one of the greatest and most influential societies in the history of the world. From the basic rules of how the Roman Empire is set up to the infrastructures in the city, the strict hierarchy of Roman social structure can be reflected clearly all over the whole ancient Rome. In fact that “public architecture presents people with the official view of a society and provides the background against which its individual markers live their lives.”1 With the great desire of Roman for entertainment and their special taste for blood, the amphitheatre is considered as the most popular and most representative type of the entertainment building in the ancient Roman culture. And

What virtues and attainments defined the Roman aristocrat in the Republic? How, if at all, did this conception of the aristocrat change during the empire? Select one biography, by either Suetonius or Plutarch: discuss its subject’s successes and failures in realizing the appropriate aristocratic ideal. Include in your essay some consideration of the importance placed on this matter by the biography’s author (that is, is the matter of aristocratic excellence relevant to the biography, and, if so, in what ways? If not, why not?)

The Roman architect, Vitruvius once said, “ Architecture depends on Order, Arrangement, Eurhythmy, Symmetry, Propriety, and Economy” (“Virtuvius”). Vitruvius epitomizes the characteristics of Roman architecture that was not only meant to be aesthetically pleasing, but serve a social and ideological function. The Romans were masters of utilizing architectural structures to define their own history, rule and power. Rome is called the “Eternal City” and Ancient Romans are remembered not only for the political achievements, but their monumentality of buildings such as the Pantheon and Coliseum. Roman architecture focuses on proportionality, but as a whole achieves spatial unity and are independent from natural surroundings and other solid entities. The structures are reflective of Roman ideology, inspired by Greek ideals, but independent and organized on the principles of order and clarity. Roman buildings prove to be a gateway into the disposition of the emperor at the time. Throughout Roman history, Senators were often called “the fathers of the Roman people” and the father or pater was in charge of the household and society as a whole. As Augustus was called pater patriae he used the city as his household, and blurred the line between civic and domestic space. He integrated himself into the city itself and literally built his family and himself into the city’s landscape. In his Res Gestae he refers to himself as the

Ancient cultures left their stamp in history through their conquest, economic development, scientific advance and arts, being Greek and Rome remarkable cultures that excel in the universal history by the power exerted over their neighbors and contenders. I must point out that (The Cultural Connection between Rome and Conquered Greece ) “although Rome conquered the land of Greece, many scholars throughout history, such as the Roman poet Horace, have noted that the culture of Greece appears to have conquered Rome by integrating itself into Roman culture.” The biggest Greek influence over Rome comes tie to the arts, specifically to the sculpture and architecture, and in this case I will analyze the similarities and difference between two iconic buildings in both

Even from the earliest times, entire families would work on a farm. In Ancient Rome, the head of the family was the father, who owned all the property and had control over other members of the property. The father's power was limited and Roman society did not approve of punishing the family without a good cause. Women in Ancient Rome enjoyed many more rights than in Ancient Greece. But still, women had little power (outside the household) and couldn't vote. Children in Ancient Rome were usually educated. From wealthy families, children were sent to nice private schools. Girls usually married at age 14 and boys usually married later. Soon, the Roman social class system changed from just Patricians and Plebeians. There was now a middle class. Business leaders and officials were part of the middle class. Religious beliefs also affected daily life. As the Romans were influenced by other cultures, the gods' they worshipped changed. They believed that gods' could now be in human form. The Roman cities were very crowded. The number of people created many problems and the city center was dirty, noisy, and crowded. Most of the city's population was unemployed and very poor. They had small rooms with no running water or toilets, and dropped their trash outside windows, sometimes injuring people. Poor Romans (or Plebeians) had little to eat, common foods were bread, olives, and fruits, due to their abundance. Fortunately, the government provided free grain to keep the people happy. Wealthy Romans enjoyed their lives of luxury. They spent time going to theaters and enjoying themselves, while they also held very fancy dinner parties. The Romans came up with clever solutions to many of their common problems. They built a sewer system, plumbing systems, and aqueducts. There were also public baths. All Roman's visited the bath's to bathe and

Romans became more and more concerned with constructing interior space rather than filling it with structural supports. As a consequence, the inside of Roman buildings were as extraordinary as their exteriors.

Throughout history the Roman Empire was often led by one type of ruler; a wealthy and deserving heir to the throne. Domitian however challenged the norm; in fact he spent a vast amount of his childhood in poverty. Domitian left a sounding effect of harsh ruling, but he proved himself as a respected and able administrator despite his often-unreasonable rulings. The mental health of Domitian is in great question, as to whether that may have been the primary reason he felt the need to persecute and institute himself in people’s minds as an admirable leader. I believe that had Domitian’s mental health be psychoanalyzed and treated correctly at the time he held reign, he may have not instituted a reign of terror on the people of Rome and left

The Romans and Greek houses were similar, yet different. The Roman houses usually composed of many stories, but many of the Greek houses didn’t, due to their lack of concrete. The Romans had many rooms in their houses, usually each for a specific purpose. Greeks, on the other hand, had many of their rooms dedicated to gods, and only a few rooms. Many Greeks had their houses made out of pebbles, clay, or mud, which had to be kept up, since it would wear away and disintegrate. Greek houses were planned around a courtyard with a garden and statues in it.

     The arches of the Coloseum allowed great ventilation, stability, and passageways to keep the crowd comfortable all day. The most amazing construction had nothing to do with the show. The Romans had actually constructed a roof for the Coloseum. The roof was like a retractable sail covering most of the audience during the current event.