GLOSSARY OF KEY WORDS

Aediles Magistrates responsible for maintaining public buildings and spaces.

Amphitheatre An oval shaped building providing seating, entertainment venue.

Atrium Open space, central public space of Roman house and centre of religious and social activity.

Basilica Justice building.

Capitolium Temple of Jupiter – dedicated to Jupiter, Minerva, Juno, state religion.

Caupona A bar, tavern, inn.

Castellum Main water tank.

Client The subservient in a relationship who has a patron for protection and guidance.

Compluvium Square cut hole in the roof of a private house within the atrium to provide light, air, water.

Dolia Terracotta pots in thermopolia contained drinks.

Dominus Master, the head of the domus.

Domus Roman household.

Familia Roman family that lived in the household including the slaves.

Forum A public Roman space with buildings used for town gathering, official religion and trade.

Fullonica Cleaning and production of cloth for clothing, laundry.

Garum Fish sauce.

Genius God of the male line of descent, the family spirits.

Impluvium The shallow pool which collected rain water under the compluvium.

Lararium Private shrine of household gods.

Libertus A former slave who has gained freedom.

Macellum Large, covered meat and fish market in the Forum.

Odeon Small theatre.

Palaestra Public exercise ground for military and youth.

Paterfamilias Highest ranking male in a family, Roman household patriarchal.

Peristyle A colonnade around an outside private garden.

Pistrinum A shop that produces and sells bread, bakery.

Programmata Epigraphic sources – election slogans.

Senator Roman who has public office within the senate of Rome.

Taberna Small workshops opening onto the street.

Tablinum Public reception area of the atrium where household records are kept.

Thermae Hot baths in a communal bath complex.

Thermopolium A shop that produces and serves hot food and drinks.

Triclinium Formal dining room in private homes containing three couches.

Vestibulum Entrance area to a private house.

Villa rustica A working farmhouse and property, often also a vineyard.