Peristyle Houses

[gilius]

Inspired by the British Museum exhibition, does anyone know how far this type of housing was distribubed/spread beyond Rome and Campania? For example, was it even common for houses in Gaul to have an Atrium and Impluvium? How about Spain? I know Britain never had these houses--not even the grandest villas resembled them.

[Melvadius]

Doing a quick check the style seems to have spread with the initial advance of the Empire so there are examples is far apart of as Palestine and Gaul. Although not that many seem to have been excavated the indications are that it was slowly adapted to local conditions.  One academic source on the web indicates that it only reached about half-way up Gaul and between the mid-1st century BC and AD the style changed to what became the more usual villa style(s) found in Britain and elsewhere. 

 

In my view possibly it was a reaction to suit the different climate found in northern climes when you tend to be more concerned about getting rid of water than collecting it for domestic use.

[gilius]

Thanks for your response. How about Ostia, Paestum? Have Impluvia been found there? I'm checking a book on Roman Antioch, but the houses don't seem to have them...