PR-2237IRE Ancient Rome

Roman Life – Homes
The hypocaust system for heating houses was invented in 85 BC and developed in the first century
AD. In Italy’s warm climate it was mainly used in the public baths, but in the colder regions of the
Empire like Britain and mainland Europe it was often used in town houses and country villas. The
warm air circulated under the floors and inside the walls. Once the bricks or concrete were heated
they retained their warmth for a long time.
Because the furnace constantly required wood, the hypocaust was expensive to run. The temperature was not
easily controlled; this was probably done by adding more fuel or reducing the supply. In public baths the hot air
was directed to the hottest rooms first and then, as the air cooled, on to the cooler rooms. A boiler over the
furnace provided hot water. Baked bricks were used to support the floors above the hypocaust and sometimes to
line the ducts carrying the hot air.
TEACHERS
N OTE
‘The simple life of the poor involves suffering every day—a pot with a broken handle, a fireplace
without fire, a beggar’s rug, an old camp bed riddled with bed bugs ...’
Martial
First Century AD
Martial was a poet who was born in Spain but lived in Rome for many years. He described many characters from
everyday life in his poems.
Viewing Sample
Activity Suggestion
1. The class could discuss/write opinions on the statement ‘It is better to be poor today than in Roman
times’. (Answers could include the help given to the poor today, e.g. no income tax, welfare groups like the
Salvation Army, assisted housing benefits etc.)
2. Using clay or plasticine make a simple Roman oil lamp. Use vegetable oil and a rope/string wick. Allow
the wick to soak up the oil before it is lit by an adult.
– 34 – Ancient Rome Prim-Ed Publishing www.prim-ed.com