Ancient Roman Houses.

Many of the wealthy Romans lived in villas that sprawled the countryside during the Republican period. Many of these houses belonged to landowners who lived in theses houses to work their farms and vineyards. Other houses were brilliant architectural complexes that were decorated with sculptures and paintings, and were embellished by elaborate gardens. Houses of the upper classes were much better documented than the houses of the poor. The plan of a prosperous Roman urban …

…additional rooms called cubicula, or bedrooms that also clustered around this space. The open house plan was well suited for a climate in which the weather was mostly sunny and warm. This house plan also made the Romans feel like they were outside even though they were still inside their house. The core of the house, the area around the atrium was able to be closed up and act as a barrier against cold winds.