Where Did Ancient Romans Sleep
The bedrooms of ancient Romans varied significantly depending on social class. While the elite enjoyed luxurious and well-decorated sleeping quarters, the poor had to make do with simple, functional sleeping spaces. Let’s explore the differences between rich and poor Roman bedrooms, their furniture, and daily life.
Bedrooms of the Wealthy (Elite Romans)
Wealthy Romans lived in large, luxurious villas with multiple rooms, including beautifully decorated bedrooms. These rooms were designed for comfort and elegance, showcasing the finest materials and craftsmanship.
Bedroom Design and Layout
Bedrooms in rich Roman homes (known as cubiculum) were often spacious and well-ventilated. Located within lavish villas or large domus (townhouses), they featured marble floors, painted frescoes, and mosaic decorations.Some bedrooms had large windows with curtains, while others were windowless for privacy.
Furniture
Bed (Lectus Circularis): The elite slept on large, wooden-framed beds with gold, silver, or ivory inlays. The mattress was stuffed with wool, feathers, or even soft down.The bed was supported by woven leather straps instead of a solid wooden base.
Bed Covers and Pillows: Fine silk or linen sheets covered the beds. Pillows (pulvinus) were stuffed with soft wool or feathers.Embroidered blankets kept the wealthy warm in winter.
Other Furniture in the Bedroom
Bronze oil lamps provided lighting. Many of these magnificent bronze oil lamps have been discovered in archaeological excavations, providing insight into the lavish lifestyles of Rome’s elite. Museums today showcase these artifacts as examples of Roman artistry, wealth, and daily life.
Jewelry chests in ancient Rome (arcae or scrinia) were essential storage pieces in wealthy households. These chests were not only functional but also beautifully crafted, often reflecting the wealth and status of their owners. Elite Romans stored their gold, silver, gemstones, and personal valuables in these chests, which were kept in private rooms, bedrooms, or secured areas of the villa. Roman artisans made them both elegant and symbolic. Many featured engraved mythological scenes, such as Venus (goddess of beauty), Fortuna (goddess of luck), and Mercury (God of wealth and trade). They were often decorated with carved floral patterns, geometric shapes, and animal figures. Some chests had bronze or gold handles and hinges with intricate designs. Larger chests had multiple compartments to store rings, necklaces, bracelets, and cosmetics.
Roman mirrors were typically made of highly polished bronze, as glass mirrors were rare and less reflective.Some were crafted from silver or had gold inlays, making them even more valuable.The backs of the mirrors were intricately engraved with mythological scenes, of Gods and Goddesses especially Venus (goddess of beauty), Fortuna (goddess of luck), and Apollo (god of the sun and arts), floral patterns, or geometric designs.
Mirrors were often placed on marble or wooden vanity tables, alongside jewelry, perfume bottles, and cosmetic tools.
Luxury Features
The elite often had servants who assisted with dressing, washing, and personal care. Wealthy Romans sometimes had heated floors (hypocaust system) to keep the bedroom warm in winter. Bedrooms could be connected to private baths, allowing for easy access to bathing and relaxation.
Bedrooms of the Poor (Common Romans & Slaves)
In contrast, the poor Romans, who lived in small apartments (insulae), had much simpler and smaller bedrooms.
Bedroom Design and Layout
The poor lived in multi-story apartment buildings, where space was limited.Most people slept in a single-room home (cella) that served as both a bedroom and living area.Some had no separate bedroom, and entire families shared a sleeping space.
Furniture and Sleeping Arrangements
Bed (Lectus Pauperum):
Made from rough wooden planks or a simple frame.
Instead of a soft mattress, they used straw or hay-stuffed sacks (torus).
A woven rope or reed base supported the bed.
Blankets and Pillows:
Poor Romans used cheap wool or linen blankets.
Pillows were small and filled with straw or old cloth.
In winter, extra layers of clothing or animal skins were used for warmth.
Other Furniture in the Bedroom:
A wooden stool or small table for basic storage.
A clay or bronze oil lamp for minimal lighting.
Clothes were stored in baskets or sacks instead of wardrobes.
Daily Life in a Poor Roman Bedroom
Many poor Romans shared their space with multiple family members.
- Some slept on the floor with only a mat or blanket.
- Fire hazards were common because of cheap wooden apartment buildings and oil lamps.
- The contrast between rich and poor Roman bedrooms highlights the vast social inequalities in ancient Rome. While the elite slept in luxury with fine materials, the poor had to make do with simple straw beds in cramped apartments. Despite these differences, both groups shared a reliance on practical furniture, oil lamps, and woven mattresses, making their bedrooms functional spaces for rest in the bustling Roman world.
Ancient Roman Beds (Lectus)
Ancient Roman beds, known as lectus, were quite different from modern beds but still reflected the luxury and sophistication of Roman elite households.
1. Structure & Materials
Frame: Made of wood (often oak, maple, or ebony), sometimes decorated with ivory, bronze, or gold inlays. Wealthier Romans even had beds with silver or gold plating.
Legs: Often intricately carved, sometimes shaped like lion paws or mythological creatures.
Support: Used a system of leather straps or woven reeds instead of a modern mattress base.
2. Mattress & Bedding
Mattress (Torus or Culcita): Filled with straw, wool, feathers, or even down for the wealthy. Some beds had layered cushions for extra comfort.
Sheets & Covers: Made from linen, wool, or silk (for the elite). Fine embroidery and dyed fabrics were common in noble households.
Pillows (Pulvinus): Stuffed with soft wool or feathers and covered in decorative fabric.
3. Types of Beds
Lectus Cubicularis (Sleeping Bed): Used in bedrooms, usually large and richly decorated for elite Romans.
Lectus Tricliniaris (Dining Couch): Used in dining rooms for reclining while eating.
Lectus Funebris (Funeral Bed): Used for laying out the dead before burial or cremation.
4. Bedroom Design
Simple Romans: Had small, functional beds with basic bedding.
Elite Romans: Had luxurious bedrooms with marble flooring, frescoed walls, bronze oil lamps, and furniture like chests, small tables, and mirrors.
Key Differences Between Rich and Poor Roman Bedrooms
| Feature | Wealthy Romans (Domus/Villa) | Poor Romans (Insulae) |
| Bed | Large, wooden frame with gold/silver inlays, soft mattress | Simple wooden frame or straw mat |
| Bedding | Silk or linen sheets, embroidered blankets, feather pillows | Coarse wool blankets, straw or cloth-filled pillows |
| Furniture | Bronze oil lamps, mirrors, jewelry chests, bookshelves | Small stool, wooden chest, clay lamp |
| Heating | Hypocaust (heated floors) | No heating, relied on blankets |
| Privacy | Private, spacious rooms with curtains | Often shared sleeping spaces |
| Decorations | Mosaic floors, frescoed walls, ornate furniture | Bare stone or wooden walls |
| Lighting | Bronze/gold oil lamps | Simple clay oil lamps |
| Additional Features | Servants, private baths, writing desks | Shared rooms, minimal personal items |