Inside The Ancient Roman House with Dr Christopher Gribbin

The ancient Romans lived in a variety of homes. The poorest lived in small rooms at the back of shops or in crowded apartment blocks. The middle class enjoyed townhouses that came in a wide range of shapes and sizes. The élite lived in spectacular, luxurious homes, with private bathing complexes, multiple spaces for living, gardens and sumptuous decoration. Understanding these homes gives us an insight into ancient Roman society and ancient people’s lives. It also shows us an aesthetic world sometimes very different to our own.

Join us to explore the different types of ancient Roman home and the way they functioned, with a particular focus on the buildings of Pompeii and Herculaneum. We'll examine the rich decoration of Roman homes, including elaborate mosaic floors and painted walls and the important legacy of Roman houses in European design from the 16th century, as European aristocrats incorporated Roman elements into their own decoration to create grandiose new styles.

Dr Christopher Gribbin is a public historian specialising in ancient Greece and Rome and an Adjunct Lecturer at La Trobe University. He has a particular interest in understanding how people make sense of the world, whether through religion, philosophy, myth, art or architecture.

Dr Gribbin is passionate about bringing the ancient world to life for modern audiences and runs the Hellenic Museum Summer School for the general public each January. He has also worked on creative projects with the ABC and the Hellenic Museum, recorded podcasts and videos, and regularly speaks with community groups.

Your ticket includes tea or Market Lane coffee served before the lecture, and time to browse our exclusive range of books, gifts, and homewares at TJC Emporium.  NOTE: Tickets for this event do not include access to our exhibition-house, Fairhall. Guided tours of the current exhibition can be booked separately.

This lecture is supported by The Colin Holden Charitable Trust. 

Image:
Interior view of the House of Venus, Pompeii, 2012. Photo: Dr. Christopher Gribbin