The Roman Invention of Luxury
The ingenious Roman invention that sparked the ancient empire’s obsession with luxury was the hypocaust, a system of underfloor heating.
Beneath the mosaic floors of Roman villas, this system transformed warmth into a mark of power.
When thinking of Roman engineering, one might first consider the grandest feats, such as the towering aqueducts, amphitheatres, and paved roads that connected the empire.
However, the hypocaust remains a notable feature of Roman domestic life, with archaeologists pointing to the distinctive stacks of bricks beneath villa floors as a mark of Roman sophistication.
“The hypocaust system is really important for us to think about when we consider Roman homes,”
explains Dr Hannah Platts on the HistoryExtra podcast.
Author's summary: Romans invented underfloor heating, a luxury symbol.