1. Most houses were probably simple 1-2 room structures made of mud-brick.

2. For houses in Athens, see the discussion on the Perseus site.

3. More attention was paid to public buildings since much time was spent outdoors and in public space.

4. Wealthy houses were commonly built around a peristyle.

a. Like temples, perhaps based originally on the megaron.

b. Even wealthy houses had a blank front, which meant that they added little to the monumental aspect of the city.

5. In Hippodamian cities houses were arranged in regular blocks.

a. 160 x 120 feet at Priene (47.20 x 35.40 m.) = proportion of 4:3, with four houses to the block.

b. At Miletos 175 x 100 feet (51.60 x 29.50 m.) = 7:4.

c. At Olynthos 300 x 120 feet = 5:2.

d. The number of houses per block might vary; if there was an alley between the houses there would be fewer.

1.The so-called Pastas House (423-348 B.C.)  See discussion in Perseus

2. Courtyard in the center of the south side.

a. Sometimes with a peristyle.

b. Columns provided an entrance to the pastas.

c. Often with a cistern and altar.

3. The pastas was a long hall running along the center of the house.

a. Rooms opened from the pastas to the north.

b. These rooms were part of the normal living arrangements: work rooms, kitchen, bath.

4. The andronitis -- men's quarters

a. The andron was a dining room, with arrangements for dining couches -- a party room!

b. Commonly had a mosaic floor, for sanitary reasons as well as decoration.

c. Commonly there was a small ante-chamber.

5. There was no separate gynaikonitis (women's quarters) at Olynthos.

6. Commonly a small bath room, but no inside toilet. (What do you think they used?)

7. Bedrooms on the upper floor.

8. The whole house faced south, to take advantage of the southern sun.

9. There was considerable variation in the implementation of this basic plan, occasionally with shops along the north that did not communicate with the house behind.