1.3 Revision Notes.docx

**The Neighbourhood - 1.3 Revision Notes** **[A Typical Roman House]** The **[atrium]** (main room) was important for entertaining guests and as such was one of the most richly decorated rooms in a Roman house. The atrium contained an **[impluvium]** which collected rainwater (water was used for d...

**The Neighbourhood - 1.3 Revision Notes** **[A Typical Roman House]** The **[atrium]** (main room) was important for entertaining guests and as such was one of the most richly decorated rooms in a Roman house. The atrium contained an **[impluvium]** which collected rainwater (water was used for drinking/washing). The **[tablinum]** was the office in a Roman house, the father's (**[paterfamilias]**) centre for business, where he would receive his clients. Roman gardens were located at the back of the house, unlike most modern gardens. Peristyle gardens with walkways to access other rooms in the house were also very common. **[House of the Fruit Orchard]** There are several reasons to suggest that this was a pretty luxurious home, with wealthy owners. As you can see from the large floorplan -- it was one of the biggest houses on the block. The entrance faced onto one of Pompeii's main streets and the building contained two floors. **Decoration** The house is richly decorated with frescoes. A Fresco was a wall painting which was used in order to lighten the space. Roman frescoes would depict landscapes, gardens and mythology. Some may wish to appear exotic -- depicting Egyptian cultural symbols, and/or, to show an admiration for the civilization. **[House 9]** From looking at the photos on the left one may be able to suggest that the occupant of this resident was an artist. It appears to be a painter's workshop -- the finds include pots of pigment and various tools.