Windows & Roofs.

[Faustus]

Here's a couple of pictures I came across from Herculaneum.

 

The FIRST is of the compluvium in the atrium, it clearly shows the downspouts from the roof, which are in the form of a dogs head.

 

The SECOND is of the mosiac floor in the atrium which has drainage holes to drain away the excess rainwater.

 

This is interesting. It seems these gutters and leaders are what make the opening (compluvium), and the efficient flow of the storm-water into the impluvium a practical matter. And for the rainwater not picked up by the roof, there are floor drains for the un-captured excess rainwater. It always ends up that the Romans didn't accept a lot of compromise in their practical physical world.

 

Faustus

[Kosmo]

Hypocaust was generally rare in the southern regions of the empire and often restricted to just a room, but in Dacia, because of the freezing winters, was common in all better houses and covered all or most rooms.

[Faustus]

Here's a couple of pictures I came across from Herculaneum.

Thanks GPM for that information. I didn

Edited February 14, 2008 by Faustus

[Gaius Paulinus Maximus]

Just out of interest, How big a problem was rainfall in ancient Rome?

 

I know the Mediterranean is usually a dry, warm climate in the summer months but what about the winter months, was rain a regular occurrence back then or not.

 

Is there any statistics or sources mentioning rainfall in ancient Rome?

Edited February 14, 2008 by Gaius Paulinus Maximus

[sullafelix]

Hi

 

There might some info for you in Varro, Columella and Cato that would be of use. Villas in town are one thing, but most of those in the countryside had dual use with one section being for farming. Andrew Wallace Hadrill and Ray Laurence have done loads of work on this aspect of villas in Pompeii itself too.

 

Cato gives a list of bulding materials and Varro is a little more detailed as is Columella. Pliny's natural history may have something too, but its a lot of stuff to look through.

 

SF

[Faustus]

Just out of interest, How big a problem was rainfall in ancient Rome?

 

I know the Mediterranean is usually a dry, warm climate in the summer months but what about the winter months, was rain a regular occurrence back then or not.

From F&Wagnall: (Italy; Climate) "Italy has both continental and coastal climates. The southern parts of the peninsula closely resemble that of coastal Spain. Heaviest precipitation occurs in Italy during the fall and winter months, when westerly winds prevail. The lowest mean annual rainfall, 18 in., occurs in the Apulian province of Foggia in the south; the highest, 60 in., occurs in the Venetian province of Udine in the N.E."

 

On the west coast of Italy the closest U.S. comparison would be the west coast around San Diego: dry warm moderated summers with sunny wetter winters.

In contrast the climate of the Lombardy plain is continental; warm summers and severe winters, with temperatures as low as 5 deg.F. prevail in this region. .

 

Is there any statistics or sources mentioning rainfall in ancient Rome?

In Climate Through the Ages C.E.P.BROOKS outlined the climate in the general European climate as follows for the periods given:

B.C. ~ 700-500 - dry and warm; 500 B.C. - sudden increase of rainfall, much cooler, beginning of Sub-Atlantic

A.D. ~ 0