KITCHENS AND DINING ROOMS AT POMPEII ... - Get a Free Blog

measurements results in a smallest possible dining room of 3.20 m. in width. The upper limit for
dining room width is the sum of the largest couch dimensions (4.25 m.) plus an additional
allowance of 0.15 m. for space between the couches (see above). A dining room does not
therefore exceed 4.40 m. in width.
The length of the dining room must be at least 3.20 m. long to accommodate the smallest
possible set of couches. An additional 0.40 m. is required to allow persons entering the room to
access the couches, for a total minimum length of 3.60 m. No upper limit has been set on the
length of a dining room because dining couches constrain only the maximum width of a room.
The definition of a 'dining room' also requires that its length exceed its width (i.e. it may not be
square or less than square); the arrangement of dining couches carries an inherent longitudinal
axis that should be repeated in the proportions of the room.
In sum, the 'dining room' is defined as: at least 3.20 by 3.60 m., and at most 4.40 m. wide
and no limit in length. These parameters are sufficient for the entire size-range of a three dining-
couch set to fit snugly . Even by this seemingly narrow definition, 57% of dining areas from the
study sample fall into 'dining room' type, attesting to its validity. No other single type exceeds
20% of the total (see Table 2.2 below):
Dining area type # of examples % of the total
DR, Dining room 96 57.1%
DH, Dining hall 31 18.4%
DI, Dinette 26 15.5%
DO, Outdoor dining area 9 5.4%
DB, Dining benches 6 3.6%
Table 2.2: Frequency of dining area types from the study sample, (168 dining areas total).
Type DH, "Dining- Hall"
The 'dining-hall' is defined as any room of greater width than a dining room, i.e. more
than 4.40 m. wide, and at least as long (3.60 m.) as a dining room (Figs. 2.44-2.45, 5.32, 5.36,
5.163). 260 Space for moving behind the couches was a basic feature of the dining-hall. The extra
space would have allowed servants to see to the personal needs of the guests, and permitted
guests to leave the table or return to it without disturbing any other guests. There was also more
space for entertainment to be conducted in front of the couches during the meal.
The dining-hall has the largest floor space of any of the types defined in the study, and is
amongst the largest of the rooms that appear in a house (excluding atria, gardens and peristyles).
A dining-hall may be greater in width than in length; it is assumed that the hall was not only
260 Examples in the study sample include: I.4.5+25 (18, 19, 35, 53, 57); I.4.9 (m); I.6.4 (p); I.7.7 (n); I.7.10-12
(17); I.7.19 (b); I.8.17+11 (9); I.9.1-2 (14); I.9.5-7 (17); I.10.4 (18, 19); I.10.11 (8, 20); VII.1.25+47 (10); VII.1.40 (21,
23); VII.14.5 (12); VII.14.9 (12); VII.14.14-16 (8, 13); IX.1.20 (s); IX.1.22 (a', t'); IX.2.10+14 (d); IX.2.15-16 (e);
IX.2.26 (p).
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