http://hoc.elet.polimi.it/policultura/ Mosaics in the ancient Roman houses were appreciated not only for aesthetic reasons, but were also an indicator of the social status of their owners. The mosaic was usual in the rich houses, the domus. It varied according to the material used (ranging from stones of various kinds to glass), the precision of the cut pieces, the choice of colors and the refinery of the design. it Politecnico di Milano - Italy No Laboratorio HOC, Politecnico di Milano - Italy Mosaics in the ancient Roman houses were appreciated not only for aesthetic reasons, but were also an indicator of the social status of their owners. The mosaic was usual in the rich houses, the domus. It varied according to the material used (ranging from stones of various kinds to glass), the precision of the cut pieces, the choice of colors and the refinery of the design. 13 SEP 2006 10:43:55 +0100WED, 13 SEP 2006 10:43:55 +0100 http://www.poliarcheo.it/romana/ENG/podcast/6.mp4 http://www.poliarcheo.it/romana/ENG/podcast/6.mp4 Laboratorio HOC, Politecnico di Milano - Italy Laboratorio HOC, Politecnico di Milano - Italy In Roman times, like in medieval times, there were particular building techniques, different from today. Usually cadastral borders remained fixed for buildings throughout the city, so they would build the new constructions over the old ones, without removing the debris. In this context, the mosaics of the new buildings would be laid over the old mosaics. During centuries, the process repeats itself, therefore a vertical section of the floor of Ancient Roman buildings could reveal several strata of mosaics dating from I century B.C. to III or IV century A.D. 13 SEP 2006 10:43:55 +0100WED, 13 SEP 2006 10:43:55 +0100 http://www.poliarcheo.it/romana/ENG/podcast/6.1.mp4 http://www.poliarcheo.it/romana/ENG/podcast/6.1.mp4 Laboratorio HOC, Politecnico di Milano - Italy Laboratorio HOC, Politecnico di Milano - Italy Mosaics were typical of the "domus", the rich Roman houses, with painted walls and big rooms. The Milanese "domus" was built after the model of the typical central italic house, with a perystile and an inner courtyard surrounded by porticos. In Milan, the "domus" were concentrated in the area around the forum, where there were the temples and the public office. They belonged to the upper classes, like for example the bankers, the merchants or the high officials. 13 SEP 2006 10:43:55 +0100WED, 13 SEP 2006 10:43:55 +0100 http://www.poliarcheo.it/romana/ENG/podcast/6.2.mp4 http://www.poliarcheo.it/romana/ENG/podcast/6.2.mp4 Laboratorio HOC, Politecnico di Milano - Italy Laboratorio HOC, Politecnico di Milano - Italy An interesting aspect of the buildings of medieval and modern times of Milan is the integration of structures from different ages, but in reverse chronological order. Due to space limitations, imposed by the cadastral borders, and the chronic lack of building materials the Roman remains were integrated within the new buildings. The basements of the new houses were often built by adding a new wall underneath the Roman one. The cellars of some Milanese houses show this peculiar technique, called underpinning the lower part, that is supposed to be the most antique, is in fact the most recent, while just above is the level of Roman bricks and above there may be another level, of medieval bricks. 13 SEP 2006 10:43:55 +0100WED, 13 SEP 2006 10:43:55 +0100 http://www.poliarcheo.it/romana/ENG/podcast/6.3.mp4 http://www.poliarcheo.it/romana/ENG/podcast/6.3.mp4 Laboratorio HOC, Politecnico di Milano - Italy Laboratorio HOC, Politecnico di Milano - Italy One of the most beautiful mosaics of the collection of the archaeological museum is the panther mosaic. It is part of a III century A.D. domus, that was built in the area of Missori square, under the church of Saint John in conca ( little valley). This is a highly refined example of floor, that must have been committed by a rich Roman family. 13 SEP 2006 10:43:55 +0100WED, 13 SEP 2006 10:43:55 +0100 http://www.poliarcheo.it/romana/ENG/podcast/6.4.mp4 http://www.poliarcheo.it/romana/ENG/podcast/6.4.mp4 Laboratorio HOC, Politecnico di Milano - Italy Laboratorio HOC, Politecnico di Milano - Italy