In the ancient Roman house, the cubicle served as a bedroom, typically flanked by similar ones and situated around the atrium. These bedrooms were generally smaller rooms positioned on either side of the entrance, adjacent to the atrium. Originally, the ancient Roman bedroom was designated for the nighttime rest of children and other family members. Meanwhile, the father and mother slept in the tablinum. Despite their relatively modest size and design, Roman bedrooms encompassed essential elements including beds, storage furniture, and personal belongings. Let's explore the fascinating features that characterized these ancient Roman sleeping quarters.
HOW IT WAS FURNISHED
The bed is a critical furniture, especially when we spend a significant amount of time on it. However, its significance becomes even more pronounced when we only have a few hours each night to enjoy its comfort and promote restful sleep.
But in the past, this has not always been the case. The bedroom hasn't always been regarded as significant. In fact, in ancient Rome, in contrast to the luxury and the general splendor of the Domus, bedrooms and comfort were not given particular attention. While beautiful decorations on the walls and floors have survived the test of time, the rest of the ancient Roman bedroom was quite basic in nature.
1. Cubicula
They were small rooms, often without windows, and opened on the left and right sides of the atrium. Generally, the owners slept in divided beds, sometimes in one room or two separate rooms.
The Cubicula were small, dark bedrooms similar to small cells whose lighting provided only weak lamps that highlighted those masterpieces of frescoes or mosaics that often decorated these rooms, two open hallways.
On the two wings of the peristyle were the chambers, the master cubicula, a little wider than those in the atrium wings, sometimes with a window with grates.
The cubiculum generally had a mosaic floor with white tesserae with simple ornaments, the paintings on the walls were divided by styles and colors from those of the rest of the house, and the ceiling above the bed was always vaulted.
2. Beds
The furnishings of the cubicula consisted mainly of beds; the most common were single-bed beds, then there were those with two squares for the couple. The beds were usually with three backs and could be in bronze, more often in worked wood or in exotic precious woods that polished emanated as many colors as the feathers of a peacock (lectin pavonine).
They could also be made of wood with moldings, inserts in worked bronze, mother of pearl or glass paste, and animal legs. The bed was not very comfortable at the time. The most spartan beds were even made of terracotta.
On a wooden frame rested crossed straps with a mattress and a pillow on top, with padding of wool or swan feathers, in other cases in straw.
For example, a mattress padded with leaves was found in Herculaneum, perhaps for an antiparasitic action. The bed was covered with two blankets, often simply two sheep or goat skins, one for resting and the other for covering.
In the poorest houses, there was no real bed either: in the tiny bedroom of the ancient Romans, there was a parallelepiped of brick and plastered bricks on which the mattress stuffed with dried vegetables was placed and nothing else.
Generally, these beds were rather uncomfortable. There are many testimonies about using animal skins in bedroom furnishings. These were a luxury for the landlord and a real need: they provided an extra soft layer on the hard bed.
3. Furniture
Another notable piece of furniture found in ancient Roman bedrooms was a wooden chest with bronze or leather coverings, specifically used for storing clothes and linens. Additionally, wardrobes were also present, which were tall and featured two doors made of perforated wood.
These wardrobes were not primarily used for storing clothes or linens but rather served to protect and contain precious, delicate, or valuable objects. Other furniture pieces included shelves, sideboards, tables, and small tables, all crafted from finely worked wood, sometimes featuring beloved marble tops.
Archaeological excavations in Pompeii and other sites have uncovered small, bulky safes made of bronze, equipped with studs, keys, and bolts. These safes were used for securing doors and shops, and various types have been discovered, distinguished by male and female keys.
Sometimes it is necessary to look at the past, not so much to discover new things but to give the correct value to our present. In this case, we find that comfort in the past was not a must-have, as it is nowadays, and this should teach us to give the proper importance to all those things we take daily for granted.
Please watch the video below to learn more about the Ancient Roman bedroom.