Tablinum

This is a wide view of the impressively grand tablinum, where the paterfamilias received his clients at the start of each working day. He sits in his chair, and is attended by two slaves, who flank him on either side. The scale and style of architecture used here was meant to evoke the public architecture of a temple or other public structure. In fact, the atrium itself was considered a public part of a nobleman's house. The truly private parts of the house lay beyond the alae's doors, reachable only to the house's slaves, family members, and special guests.

Click here to approach the paterfamilias.

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