Public use and privacy in late antique houses in Asia Minor: The architecture of spatial control


ÖZGENEL L.

Late Antique Archaeology, vol.3.2, pp.239-281, 2007 (Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Review
  • Volume: 3.2
  • Publication Date: 2007
  • Doi Number: 10.1163/22134522-90000066
  • Journal Name: Late Antique Archaeology
  • Journal Indexes: Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.239-281
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Large numbers of visitors frequented the town houses of influential patrons in Late Antiquity. The owners responded to this increased public access, and hence met their heightened need for privacy, by adopting certain architectural measures to isolate and/or redesign reception rooms, especially audience halls, which received unpredictable numbers of people of varying status. This paper looks at architectural and spatial features, such as planning, circulation, location, accessibility and design in late antique houses in Asia Minor. It outlines and comments upon the ways in which their reception spaces were designed and distinguished to control public intrusion and access.