Fores et Fenestrae: A Computational Study of Doors and Windows in Roman Domestic Space

By (author) Lucia Michielin

Book cover: Fores et Fenestrae: A Computational Study of Doors and Windows in Roman Domestic Space

Extent: 298 pages

Publisher: Archaeopress Publishing

Subjects: Architecture, Classical Studies, Mediterranean Archaeology

Series: Archaeopress Roman Archaeology

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(June 2021)

ISBN: 9781789696172

8.07 x 11.42 inches

Price: $68.00

In stock

The role doors and windows play in shaping the life and structure of Roman private dwellings has been underestimated; they are structures that connect not only rooms but houses to the outside world, and they relate to privacy, security, and light in domestic spaces. This volume analyses these structures as an essential part of daily


Fores et Fenestrae aims to analyse Roman doors and windows and their role as an essential part of daily life. They are the structures that connect not only rooms but also houses themselves to the outside world. They relate to privacy, security, and light in domestic spaces. Until very recently, the role of doors and windows in shaping the life and structure of Roman private dwellings has been greatly underestimated. The reason for this lies primarily in the difficulties linked to their study. The low level of preservation of walls and the widespread use of perishable and recyclable materials hinder in many cases a correct assessment of these structures. To achieve greater understanding, the author followed a computational approach. The two cores of the research are the analysis of the database and the observation of results based on new 3D models. 1855 doors and windows were surveyed across eight towns of Roman imperial Italy. The information collected has been organised in a database comprised of nine tables and mined through statistical analyses. Three 3D models of different dwelling types have been generated simulating natural materials and light conditions to observe the role of doors and windows in context. The work is subdivided into three sections. The first explains the study’s methodology and analyses previous scholarship on the topic, highlighting how the issue of doors and windows has often be ignored or only superficially considered. The second section collects typologies of complementary sources to better comprehend the results of the statistical analyses and to integrate the 3D models; literary, epigraphic, and visual sources are considered. To these are added the analysis of the archaeological sources. The third part constitutes the core of the analysis. It is composed of two chapters, the fi rst of which provides a detailed overview of the statistical analyses produced from the sample collected. The latter chapter investigates the results of the renders and analyses views and natural light in the Roman house.

Preface Part A: Background and Approaches Introduction Literature Review Methodology Part B: Sources Literary and Epigraphic Sources 1 Doors 2 Windows 3 Words for elements of doors and windows 4 Doors and windows in Roman law Visual Sources 1 Doors 2 Windows Archaeological Material 1 Lintels and doorjambs 2 Door-leaves 3 Shutters 4 Curtains 5 Glazed doors and windows 6 Other translucent media windows 7 Grills 8 Locking systems: bars, deadbolt, locks, and keys 9 Hinges Part C: Data Mining Patterns in Doors and Windows 1 General patterns of doorways and windows 2 Doors and Doorways 3 Windows 4 Thresholds and Sills Openings, Views, and Natural Light in the Roman House 1 Different types of barriers and partitions 2 Different types of rooms 3 Different types of houses Final Considerations Bibliography Appendix 1: DAWD - The Doors and Windows Database Appendix 2: Renders Appendix 3: Written Sources, Preface ;

Part A: Background and Approaches Part B: Sources1 Doors2 Windows3 Words for elements of doors and windows4 Doors and windows in Roman law1 Doors2 Windows1 Lintels and doorjambs2 Door-leaves3 Shutters4 Curtains5 Glazed doors and windows6 Other translucent media windows 7 Grills8 Locking systems: bars, deadbolt, locks, and keys9 Hinges Part C: Data Mining1 General patterns of doorways and windows2 Doors and Doorways3 Windows4 Thresholds and Sills1 Different types of barriers and partitions2 Different types of rooms3 Different types of houses Final Considerations ;

Bibliography ;

Appendix 1: DAWD - The Doors and Windows Database ;

Appendix 2: Renders ;

Appendix 3: Written Sources

  • By (author) Lucia Michielin