1. AEDĒS RŌMĀNAE (THE ROMAN HOUSE)

3. PARTS OF A ROMAN HOUSE ianua door
ātrium atrium, main hall and reception room, often containing the larārium (shrine to the household gods)
compluvium opening in the roof through which rain entered the ātrium
impluvium pool in the middle of the ātrium to collect rainwater
tablīnum room between the ātrium and peristȳlium used as a study
peristȳlium garden courtyard at rear of the house (or just hortus, garden)
trīclīnium dining room (literally `three-couch room’), which opened onto the garden in the peristȳlium
culīna kitchen
cubiculum bedroom

4. FURTHER INFORMATION
Houses like the one illustrated contained a wealthy family with its slaves. Apart from the main door, and perhaps a back entrance, it was completely sealed off by its walls and light and air was provided by the inner courtyards. However, rooms at the front opening onto the street were let out as shops.
The poorer citizens of Rome lived in īnsulae (literally `islands’) which were apartment blocks up to 7-storeys high