Known and Approximate Locations of Insulae
This map was constructed by using inscriptions, literary references to housing, and archaeological excavations to plot points of known and estimated locations of insulae. Each individual square represents one insula, the larger the square the larger the estimated area of where the original insula was located. Red squares were plotted using textual evidence of an insula from literary references, blue squares represent archaeological finds, and green squares represent epigraphic evidence from found inscriptions. Although this is a small sample set of housing, from this map we can clearly see that the evidence shows that the majority of insulae can be found along the Tiber. These areas are known to be marketplaces and thus would have most likely been inhabited by shopkeepers and workers from the horrea (warehouses) and various markets, in other words, lower class workers.
Insulae Density Map
Based on data from the insula density graph on the next page.
Highest density of insulae is located in Region VIII (the Forum Romanum), the power center of ancient Rome. Other insula dense areas include regions X (Palatine) and XI (Circus Maximus), the areas adjacent to the Forum Romanum and also the elite and economic centers of Rome. These regions were also the main core of the city from its founding through the Republic and into the beginning of the empire. Some scholars would argue that the Forum Romanum lost its significance during the latter years of the empire, but this data suggests that the Forum Romanum remained the core of the city throughout the empire. It could be argued that insulae were constructed around points of power within the city.
Quantity of Architectural Features based on Region
Based on data from the Regionary Catalogs and graphs found on the next page. We can clearly see that insulae dominated the Roman cityscape during the 4th century, not only in outlying areas, but also predominantly within the center of Rome, an area traditionally conceptualized as a political and entertainment district.
With height limitations on insulae set to 70 Roman feet during the Julio-Claudian period and lowered to 60 RF under Trajan, certain monuments would have towered over private buildings at the time. While certain Roman monuments and civic buildings would have towered over the apartments, the street view of Rome would have primarily been apartments.
With height limitations on insulae set to 70 Roman feet during the Julio-Claudian period and lowered to 60 RF under Trajan, certain monuments would have towered over private buildings at the time. While certain Roman monuments and civic buildings would have towered over the apartments, the street view of Rome would have primarily been apartments.