Exploring Ancient Roman Housing

What century did Rome start using concrete in construction?

• 2nd Century BC

• 1st Century AD

• 4th Century AD

• 3rd Century BC

How many floors did a typical insula have?

• Seven or eight

• One or two

• Three or four

• Five or six

What was a common problem mentioned by Juvenal regarding insulae?

• Lack of sunlight

• Throwing garbage out of windows

• Noise from neighbors

• Frequent water leaks

What material was often used instead of stone to reduce construction costs?

• Metal

• Bamboo

• Plastic

• Wood

When was the fire department established in Rome?

• During Julius Caesar's rule

• Under Emperor Augustus

• In the 2nd Century AD

• Before the 3rd Century BC

What was the maximum floor area for expensive apartments on the first floor of an insula?

• 400 square meters

• 300 square meters

• 200 square meters

• 100 square meters

What was used for lighting in the insulae?

• Natural light only

• Oil lamps

• Electric lights

• Candles

Who often had to seek shelter in basements or under staircases?

• Civil servants

• Landlords

• The wealthy

• The poor

What did Seneca criticize about the insulae?

• The structural integrity

• The luxurious decorations

• The high cost of rent

• The spacious rooms

What did Caesar's edict exempt regarding housing costs?

• Up to 1000 sestertii a year in Rome

• Up to 2000 sestertii a year in Rome

• All of the above

• Up to 500 sestertii a year in the vicinity