Ancient Roman Homes

Homes in ancient Rome were very different depending on how much money a family had. Wealthy Romans lived in large, beautiful houses called domus. Poor Romans lived in crowded apartment buildings called insulae. Both types of homes tell us a lot about daily life in ancient Rome.

Homes of the Rich

A wealthy Roman's house, called a domus, had many rooms around an open courtyard. The courtyard often had a pool to collect rainwater. Walls were decorated with colorful paintings called frescoes. Floors had beautiful mosaic designs made from tiny tiles.

Homes of Ordinary People

Most Romans lived in apartment buildings called insulae that could be six or seven stories tall. These buildings were often crowded and poorly built. There was no running water in the upper floors, so people had to carry water up the stairs. Fires were a constant danger because people cooked over open flames.

Fun Facts

• Some Roman apartment buildings were six or seven stories tall, like modern buildings.
• Wealthy Roman homes had a form of central heating called a hypocaust that warmed the floors.
• Roman mosaics were made from thousands of tiny colored tiles called tesserae.

Did You Know?

Ancient Roman apartments did not have kitchens, so many Romans bought hot food from street vendors, like an ancient version of fast food.