A Greek house in the Classical era

The houses of the ancient Greeks were meant as largely outdoor environments that could afford safety and protection to the family and their possessions. The Greek house during the Classical Age was modeled on the Homeric palace plan and changed over time.

The Homeric palace had a courtyard or aula, with an altar to Zeus in the center, and a megaron, or central hall, off the courtyard containing a hearth or family fire in the center. Off the megaron were rooms for the family. In the historical period, the aula continued as it was, while the megaron became the andron, or reception hall. The houses of well-to-do Greeks probably had a similar plan.

The houses did not have the ostentatious design of modern times; rather, they went mostly unadorned. The houses looked inward. The outside walls were plain, made of sun-dried but not burned brick. They probably presented a blank surface. The walls did not have windows on the ground floor, and on the second, they had windows protected by lattices or shutters rather than glass. The windows let in air, but not light. Roofs were made of hardened or sun-dried mud, or tiles in wealthy homes. These tiles were often used for weapons, such as when Pyrrhus, an Epriot general, was hit by a tile thrown from a roof when he attempted to conquer a city.

Queen’s megaron at the palace of Cnossus

One entered a house through a door in a wall, usually at ground level from the street. The door usually opened inward and had a knocker so visitors could signal their arrival. The individual came into a corridor. Off to one side was a small room for the porter, who opened the door, announced visitors, and protected the family. On the other side was the entrance to a shop, which was either owned by the family or rented out. Farther down the corridor, behind these two rooms, would be the servant quarters.

The corridor then led into a square aula, with columns supporting an open roof that allowed light to enter the home. Opposite the corridor, behind the courtyard through a doorway was the andron. A large room, the pastas or prostas, faced south to catch the afternoon light. Around this room were the major rooms for the household. One side would have rooms for the women, separate from rooms for men on the opposite side. If the house had an upper floor, these rooms were also living quarters, often for extended family members or more servants. During the day, the aula was occupied by the women.

The floors of most houses were made of concrete, with some simple coverings of mosaics, although later they became more elaborate. The interior walls were made of stucco and probably were painted. With the exception of a central hearth in the andron, heating was probably supplied by portable braziers with charcoal. The furniture was probably simple and not extensive: beds, couches, round tables for serving food, chests for storing clothes, and chairs. In addition, there were probably a variety of earthenware vessels and tableware. Amphorae were commonly used to store of wine, oil, and grain.