Final answer:
Roman insulae were multi-story apartment buildings that accommodated the lower and middle classes, with the ground floor often reserved for shops. Typical Roman houses called atrium homes featured distinct areas like the atrium and tablinum that reflected social importance and family. The stark difference between the homes of the wealthy and the common showcases the social hierarchy of Roman society.
Step-by-step explanation:
A Roman insula was structured as a multi-story apartment building, primarily housing the urban lower and middle classes of ancient Rome, the plebians and the equites class who were not wealthy enough for private houses. The ground floor often housed shops and businesses, with the living quarters above. These buildings could be quite crowded, with limited facilities, reflecting the socio-economic status of their inhabitants.
The typical Roman house, the atrium house, usually contained features such as the atrium (an open-air reception hall), the fauces or vestibulum (entrance), and the tablinum (room containing family records and portraits). These elements suggest the importance of family and social status, as well as the respect for authority figures within the Roman culture.
The social order of Rome was greatly reflected in the structure of housing. The domus for the wealthy, contrasted with the insula for the common folk, and villas for the most affluent citizens. The design of these homes, including the luxurious elements often found in villas, displayed wealth and emphasized social hierarchy and cultural values of the times.