Ancient history

How large is a typical roman house?

The size of a typical Roman house varied greatly depending on the wealth and status of the owner. The smallest houses, known as insulae, were typically several stories high and housed multiple families, each in a small apartment. The largest houses, known as domus, could cover an entire city block and have dozens of rooms.

* Insulae: Insulae were typically four or five stories high and had a courtyard in the center. Each floor was divided into small apartments, each with one or two rooms. These apartments were often very cramped and unsanitary.

* Domus: Domus were much larger than insulae and typically had a large central atrium, surrounded by rooms. The atrium was often used for receiving guests and as a gathering place for the family. The other rooms in the house included bedrooms, dining rooms, kitchens, and baths. The largest domus could have dozens of rooms and cover an entire city block.

Here are some examples of the sizes of typical Roman houses:

* A small insula might have been 20 feet wide and 40 feet long, with each apartment occupying about 100 square feet.

* A medium-sized insula might have been 50 feet wide and 100 feet long, with each apartment occupying about 500 square feet.

* A large domus might have been 100 feet wide and 200 feet long, with a total area of 20,000 square feet.

The size of a Roman house was a reflection of the owner's wealth and social status. The larger the house, the wealthier and more powerful the owner.