Descriptionary

imagine a memorial busts of deceased family mem­ber placed in a wooden shrine within the wall of an atrium in a Roman house. The busts were accompa­nied by descriptive inscriptions.

impluvium the cistern or basin within the floor of an atrium, used to collect the rainwater that fell through the compluvium.

Ionic the Greek style of architecture characterized by ornamental scrolls and elegant detailing, but less elaborate than the Corinthian style.

laconicum a sweat room in a Roman bath.

lararium a shrine to the household gods in a Roman house.

latifundium a large Roman estate.

latrina a Roman bathroom or washroom.

lesche a Greek public clubhouse where people gath­ered to talk and receive news.

lithostrotum opus a Greek or Roman ornamental pavement such as mosaic.

logeum the stage in Greek and Roman theaters.

lucullite a type of black marble used in Roman construction.

macellum a Roman meat and produce market.

maenianum a balcony or gallery in a Roman theater.

mesaulos in a Greek house, the passage connecting the men's section (andron) with the women's section (gynaeceum).

milliarium on the side of Roman roads, a column erected at intervals of 1 Roman mile (0.92 mile) to indicate distance traveled.

moneta a Roman mint.

monopteron any circular Greek building sur­rounded by a single row of columns.

necropolis any large cemetery of ancient Greece.

nosocomium a Greek or Roman hospital for the poor.

opaion in Greek or Roman architecture, any aper­ture in a roof for smoke to escape.

oppidum a Roman town. Also, a collective term for the towers, gates, and horse stalls at the end of a Roman circus, said to resemble a town.

opus tectorium a type of stucco used in Roman construction.

orchestra in Greek theater, the place occupied by the dancers and chorus. In later Roman theater, a space between the stage and first row of seats reserved for senators and other important people.

order an architectural style, particular of columns and entablatures. The Greek orders are Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. The Romans later added Tuscan and Composite.

ornithon an ancient Roman poultry house; an aviary.

palaestra an athletic training room, smaller than a gymnasium, used by Greek and Roman athletes.

pandokeion a Greek travelers' inn.

pantheon a Roman temple dedicated to the gods.

parastatica a pilaster of a Greek temple.

parathura the back door of a Greek house.

paries in Roman construction, a wall.

paries e lapide quadrato a Roman wall made of cut stone or ashlar.

paries lateritius a Roman brick wall.

passus a Roman measure of length, equal to 58.2 inches.

pastas a Greek vestibule.

pavimentum a Roman pavement formed of crushed stone, flint, and tile rammed and composited in a bed of cement.

pavonazzo in Roman construction, a type of mar­ble characterized by dark red veins.

pes (pl. pedes) a Roman measure of length equal to 11.65 inches.

pharos a Greek or Roman lighthouse.

phyrctorion a Greek watchtower used for military purposes.

pinaculum in Greek or Roman construction, any roof that forms a ridge. Most houses of the day had flat roofs.

piscina in Roman construction, a reservoir. Also a pool or basin of water in a Roman bathroom.

platea any wide Roman street.

plethron an ancient Greek measure of length equal to 101% feet.

podium the plateau or platform on which Roman temples were built. Also, in a circus, the first or clos­est row of seats to the racecourse that was protected from the wild animal acts by a 10-foot trench.

polyandrion an ancient Greek monument or burial place dedicated to men killed in battle.

popina a Roman restaurant or tavern patronized by the lower classes.

porta the gateway to a Roman city.

posticum the back door of a Roman house.

postscenium the dressing rooms and storage rooms of the actors in Greek and Roman theaters.

pretorium the Roman residence of a governor.

propnigeum the sweat room furnace in a Greek gymnasium.

prothyron an entrance vestibule in a Greek house.

puteus in Roman construction, a manhole in an aqueduct. Also, a fountain in a Roman house.

robur a chamber below an underground dungeon where criminals were put to death.

ruderatio in Roman construction a common floor made of pieces of brick, stone, and tile.

sacrarium an in-house family shrine or chapel in Roman residences.

scabellum a Roman, freestanding pedestal.

scaena ductilis in Roman and Greek theater, a mobile screen that served as a scenic backdrop.

scalpturatum an ancient Roman pavement inlaid with patterned, colored marble.

scandula a Roman roof shingle.

scansorium Roman scaffolding.