What is an insula?
An insula (Latin for “island”) is a Roman multi-storey housing block where the ordinary city population lived. The term refers both to the whole block between the streets and to such a multi-family building with rented flats. The insula is therefore an early forerunner of the urban apartment building.
Layout and use
In densely populated cities such as Rome and Ostia, the Romans stacked dwellings to save space:
- Ground floor — often shops, workshops and taverns (tabernae) facing the street.
- Upper floors — rented dwellings above; the higher up, the smaller and cheaper.
- Height — insulae could be four to five, sometimes more storeys; imperial rules tried to limit the height.
The lower floors were the most sought after, with more room and sometimes running water. Higher up, a kitchen and sanitation were often missing; residents fetched water below and used public facilities.
Construction and significance
Insulae were built in brick, tufa and Roman concrete (opus caementicium), sometimes with timber floors. Because of the height, dense building and timber parts, collapse and fire were a real danger. The insula contrasts with the domus, the detached town house of wealthy families. Well-preserved examples can be seen at Ostia Antica.
Related terms
- Domus
- Atrium
- Castellum and castrum
- Amphitheatre
- Concrete
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