History Extra podcast Roman homes: everything you wanted to know
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Oct 4, 2025 
Join Dr. Hannah Platts, a lecturer in ancient history and author, as she takes you inside the fascinating world of Roman homes. Discover how climate shaped their design and the innovative architectural influences from Etruscans and Greeks. Learn about the variety of living spaces from lavish domus to functional insulae. Explore the intriguing blend of public and private life, and uncover luxurious features like underfloor heating and intricate decorations. Dr. Platts' insights reveal why Roman domestic life was both complex and sensory-rich.
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Climate-Driven Design
- Roman houses used architectural features like high ceilings, narrow windows and an atrium hole to manage light and coolness without electricity.
- The atrium collected rainwater in a basin and used evaporation and airflow to cool and supply the household.
Cultural Mix And Engineering Leap
- Roman architecture evolved by adopting and adapting Etruscan and Greek elements while developing new techniques like concrete vaulting.
- Concrete allowed novel domestic spaces such as curved dining rooms and domes, transforming house design.
Wide Range Of House Types
- Not all Roman homes were vast palaces; many domus had 10–19 rooms and urban insulae (apartments) in Ostia rose multiple storeys.
- Housing ranged from spacious elite homes to shop-front dwellings and true homelessness with people sleeping in arches.