{"id":10586,"date":"2023-12-13T07:41:07","date_gmt":"2023-12-13T06:41:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/?p=10586"},"modified":"2023-12-13T07:41:07","modified_gmt":"2023-12-13T06:41:07","slug":"what-were-living-conditions-like-in-ancient-rome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/what-were-living-conditions-like-in-ancient-rome\/","title":{"rendered":"What Were Living Conditions Like In Ancient Rome"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Housing<\/h2>\n

Ancient Rome was an urban settlement where many people lived. Most ancient Roman homes were single-story, built out of brick, stone, or a combination of both materials. They were nearby the city center and were filled with courtyards and gardens with family shrines and memorials. Many ancient Roman homes were connected to the city’s water supply, sewage, and drainage. Ancient Rome’s housing was filled with mosaic floors and walls decorated with frescoes and statues.<\/p>\n

Most ancient Roman houses were filled with artworks, including paintings, sculpture and fine glassware. Ancient Greeks used frescoes to decorate their homes, which included nature-based murals, mythological scenes, and everyday life tableaux. Ancient Roman homes were also equipped with several bedrooms, kitchen areas, and other rooms used for work and family gatherings. Wealthier families would own large compounds that often had separate kitchens, fountains, and private gardens inside.<\/p>\n

The Great Fire<\/h2>\n

The Great Fire of Rome, a disaster that swept through the city in 64 CE, destroyed much of its housing and living conditions. It is estimated that one-third of Rome was damaged or destroyed, and many people lost their homes and belongings. Much of the city was in a state of disrepair afterward, leaving the poor and homeless in poor living conditions. The Senate responded by passing the first recorded regulation on Roman housing which provided people with temporary housing and food until their homes were rebuilt.<\/p>\n

The Great Fire also exposed a more serious housing problem within ancient Rome. Many of the city’s buildings were overcrowded, unsanitary and unsafe, meaning many residents lived in ramshackle structures that provided little protection from the elements. The fire served to highlight the need for better housing and living conditions for the city’s citizens.<\/p>\n

Sanitation And Food<\/h2>\n