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Houses and Society in Pompeii and Herculaneum
Few sources reveal the life of the ancient Romans as vividly as do the houses preserved by the eruption of Vesuvius. Wealthy Romans lavished resources on shaping their surroundings to impress their crowds of visitors. The fashions they set were taken up and imitated by ordinary citizens. In this illustrated book, Andrew Wallace-Hadrill explores the rich potential of the houses of Pompeii and Herculaneum to offer new insights into Roman social life. Exposing misconceptions derived from contemporary culture, he shows the close interconnection of spheres we take as discrete: public and private, family and outsiders, work and leisure.
Combining archaeological evidence with Roman texts and comparative material from other cultures, Wallace-Hadrill raises a range of new questions. How did the organization of space and the use of decoration help to structure social encounters between owner and visitor, man and woman, master and slave? What sort of "households" did the inhabitants of the Roman house form? How did the world of work relate to that of entertainment and leisure? How widely did the luxuries of the rich spread among the houses of craftsmen and shopkeepers? Through analysis of the remains of over two hundred houses, Wallace-Hadrill reveals the remarkably dynamic social environment of early imperial Italy, and the vital part that houses came to play in defining what it meant "to live as a Roman."
Combining archaeological evidence with Roman texts and comparative material from other cultures, Wallace-Hadrill raises a range of new questions. How did the organization of space and the use of decoration help to structure social encounters between owner and visitor, man and woman, master and slave? What sort of "households" did the inhabitants of the Roman house form? How did the world of work relate to that of entertainment and leisure? How widely did the luxuries of the rich spread among the houses of craftsmen and shopkeepers? Through analysis of the remains of over two hundred houses, Wallace-Hadrill reveals the remarkably dynamic social environment of early imperial Italy, and the vital part that houses came to play in defining what it meant "to live as a Roman."
264 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 5, 2022
Definitely a book for the specialist and not the layperson curious about Pompeii and Herculaneum. It slowed down for me in the second half.
His points are interesting, that fresco decoration of rooms indicate being publicly visible parts of the house, where patrons expect visitors and clients to see. Its an expression of power. But the reality of what we can say from reading a house by its wall painting is limited, given the changeable circumstances of insulae and domus.
His closing point is that elites choosing to put up stylish decorations leads to imitation by lower classes, trying to emulate and claim social power. This leads to further escalation as elites attempt to differentiate themselves from lower classes and commission more and more luxurious paintings. In short, the Romans were concerned about and criticized keeping up with the Joneses.
His points are interesting, that fresco decoration of rooms indicate being publicly visible parts of the house, where patrons expect visitors and clients to see. Its an expression of power. But the reality of what we can say from reading a house by its wall painting is limited, given the changeable circumstances of insulae and domus.
His closing point is that elites choosing to put up stylish decorations leads to imitation by lower classes, trying to emulate and claim social power. This leads to further escalation as elites attempt to differentiate themselves from lower classes and commission more and more luxurious paintings. In short, the Romans were concerned about and criticized keeping up with the Joneses.
December 28, 2015
Just reread this. Love it. Recommended for those interested in Pompeii and Herculaneum. Especially houses and related.
November 3, 2025
A serious work of scholarship which I read ahead of a visit to Pompeii and Herculaneum. It focuses on what the use of space and decoration in the two towns destroyed by Vesuvius in 79 CE can tell us about Roman society. Excellent weaving together of the archaeological and literary evidence.
October 16, 2021
Like a marathon through hell
March 14, 2025
A study of social identity as revealed through archaeology.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews