Herculaneum

The House of the Wooden Partition

The House of the Wooden Partition is located in the ancient site of Herculaneum within Insula III close to the baths. The house was excavated between1927-1933. The house was originally constructed in the 1st century BC but underwent renovation during the reign of the Julio-Claudian emperors. The building gets its name from the carbonised wooden doors that divide the Atrium and the Tablinum. The carbonisation has preserved these doors so that they still function. The house is located along the ancient coastline with a road that runs parallel to the coastline in a northeast to southwest direction in front of it. The house has a typical plan, including an Atrium and Peristyle. We have evidence that this house had two levels, as some of the wooden supports used to stabilise the balcony can be seen on the outside of the house. A wooden bedframe also survives.

Due to the eruption of Vesuvius in 79AD, the house itself has been well preserved and we can see frescoes and mosaics. Most obvious are the red wall paintings, which decorate most of the house. On the south wall of the house within the peristyle garden, we can see depictions of fountains, birds and snakes. The most important aspect of this house how it depicts the division of public and private life. The wooden sliding door (partition) that divides the Atrium and Tablinum is significant as it shows that wealthy Romans made a conscious decision on what they showed the public. As with the door open passers-by in the street would not only see the elaborate Atrium with a marble impluvium but also see into the Tablinum and garden where guests would be entertained. With the door closed the family could be afforded privacy from onlookers.

For further information, see the following links:

House of the Wooden Partition: seepompeii.comLink opens in a new window

House of the Wooden Partition: Isha12364 on QuizletLink opens in a new window

Central Forum Baths

The Central Forum Baths is located across the street from the House of the Wooden Partition, on the northeast side of the city. Typically dated to the 1st century BC, the building can was most likely built between 30 and 10BC during the Augustan period. Amedeo Maiuri, who excavated the site, suggested that the decorations date later than this, to around the time Claudius or Nero were in power. If so, the baths were possibly renovated after construction. The central baths were divided in two, with areas for male and female bathing, although the female bathing rooms are smaller and less elaborate in decoration.

The baths contained an Apodyterium, an area in which patrons could change and store their belongings in small niches in the walls, like our modern lockers just without the locks. On the north wall of the Apodyterium is a Cipollina marble basin in which clients would wash their hands and feet before entering the Frigidarium (cold room) or Tepidarium (warm room). After the Tepidarium is the Caldarium (hot room), containing an immersion bath. The Northeast corner doorway in the Apodyterium leads to the Frigidarium. This room was painted marine blue and contained a cold plunge pool for immersion. The bath complex also contained a Palaestra (exercise ground).

For further information, see the following links:

At the baths: hands-up-education.org (see pages 19-21)Link opens in a new window

Diagram of the Central Forum Baths at Herculaneum: Clare534 on QuizletLink opens in a new window