Atrium

Definition

The main central hall of a Roman house, often containing a rainwater pool beneath an opening in the roof.

Used by OCR

Paper 1, Paper 4

The main reception room of a Roman house, where the household received friends and clients; wealthier families could lay out a dead relative there.
Wealthier families laid out the body in the atrium, the main reception room of their house, for eight days. Because this was where the household normally received visitors, it became a place where friends and relatives could gather to pay their respects.
Revise: Preparation of the Body and Roman Funeral Clubs
Revise: Roman Housing

1
Qualify the eight-day display in the atrium: this describes wealthier households, not every Roman funeral.

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An entrance hall or central reception space in a Roman house, often containing a rainwater pool beneath an opening in the roof.

1 more note

A principal hall in a Roman house, often containing a rainwater pool beneath an opening in the roof.
Revise: Identification and Purpose of Roman Material Remains