Fauces (architecture)

Fauces is an architectural term given by Vitruvius (Arch. 3.6.3) to narrow passages on either side of the tablinum, through which access could be obtained from the atrium to the peristylar court in the rear.[1] Fauces (faucēs -ium, f. meaning a narrow opening in various contexts)[2] is the Latin word for entrance hall, this is where the owner of the domus would try to impress his visitors by a large beautiful mosaic on the floor of the entrance hall, some people would have mosaics of animals guarding their homes, this was quite common.

Diagram of a typical Roman domus.

Bibliography

Greenough, J. B. 1890. "The Fauces of the Roman House." Harvard Studies in Classical Philology 1:1-12. (at JSTOR).

References

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Fauces". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=fauces&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0060

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[1] This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Fauces". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.

[2] ttp://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=fauces&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0060