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691 Pages·2012·10.14 MB·English

Studies in the Urban Domestic Housing of Mid-Republican Sicily
(ca. 211 – 70 BC): Aspects of Cross-Cultural Contact
by
Karen Ann Aberle
BSc, University of Calgary, 1997
BA, University of Calgary, 2000
MA, The University of British Columbia, 2003

A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF

Doctor of Philosophy
in
THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES
(Classics)

THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
(Vancouver)

August 2012

© Karen Ann Aberle, 2012
Abstract
This study provides a systematic analysis of urban domestic housing in Sicily during the
mid-Republican period (ca. 211 – 70 BC). It employs a methodological framework that is not
grounded in traditional typologies, and instead uses relevant comparative and contextual
models. The data are examined for the socio-cultural impact of Roman hegemony on
Rome’s first province. The aim is to gain a better understanding of the nature of cross-
cultural contact in the region, and, where possible, to interpret developing Sicilian ideologies
and identities during this period. It was found that the domestic architecture and their
decorative pavements suggest a mixture of Greek, Punic, Roman, and regional Sicilian
cultural influences, stimuli, and interactions along a variable scale, but more significantly that
Sicily, which was geographically central, and culturally diverse, acted as a ‘middle ground’,
and had an active role in the (re)interpretation and dissemination of many of these features
across the Mediterranean. This is particularly true for the colonnaded courtyard, the western
tradition of decorative pavements, and the communal domestic bath-suite. Further, it was
recognised that variable responses are relative primarily to 1) house type; 2) location within
the island (possibly related to ethnic or cultural affiliation); 3) social status; and 4) function.
There is an apparent dichotomy within the houses between the more ‘private’ domestic
spaces, which largely maintain more traditional Greek or Punic features, and the ‘public’
reception spaces, which, while they belong to a Mediterranean-wide koine, begin to
incorporate features more common to the Roman west. All of these variables themselves
were likely to have been interrelated. Sicily, being Rome’s first province, is fundamental to
any discussion about culture contact under Roman hegemony. The material manifestations
of cross-cultural contact during the mid-Republican period as represented by the urban
domestic architecture suggest a combination of multidirectional processes and multi-layered
identities. This study represents a launch-point for further analyses of the impact of culture
contact by illustrating some of the processes involved in the overarching practice of so-
called ‘Romanisation’. It also provides a worthwhile approach to analyse other material
assemblages in Sicily, as well as in other ‘new’ Roman provinces.

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Table of Contents
Abstract ....................................................................................................................................ii
Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................iii
List of Tables ...........................................................................................................................xi
List of Figures .......................................................................................................................xiii
List of Abbreviations ............................................................................................................xxi
Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................ xxii
Chapter 1: Introduction – The Nature of the Evidence .......................................................1
1.1 Research aims and approach ................................................................................... 1
1.1.1 Aims: problems and prospects .............................................................................. 1
1.1.2 Approach ................................................................................................................ 3
1.1.2.1 Domestic architecture .................................................................................... 3
1.1.2.2 Time period .................................................................................................... 6
1.1.2.3 Settlement types ............................................................................................ 8
1.1.2.4 Further criteria and practical remarks ......................................................... 11
1.2 Theoretical and methodological underpinnings ...................................................... 13
1.2.1 Text-driven archaeology ...................................................................................... 15
1.2.2 Conceptual models and terminology ................................................................... 19
1.2.2.1 –ations, –isations, and –isms ...................................................................... 20
1.2.2.2 ‘Ethnicity’ and cultural labels ....................................................................... 29
1.2.3 Additional approaches and research focus ......................................................... 35
1.3 Research outline ...................................................................................................... 37
Chapter 2: Approaches to the Study of Urban Domestic Architecture in the Ancient
Mediterranean ........................................................................................................................39
2.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 39
2.2 Typologies: traditional approaches ......................................................................... 41
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2.2.1 The Greek courtyard house ................................................................................. 43
2.2.1.1 The Greek prostas and pastas house ......................................................... 43
2.2.1.2 The Greek peristyle house .......................................................................... 45
2.2.2 The Roman atrium house .................................................................................... 52
2.2.3 The Punic house .................................................................................................. 58
2.3 Typology caveats ..................................................................................................... 66
2.3.1 The ‘Greek’ peristyle ............................................................................................ 67
2.3.2 The ‘Roman’ house.............................................................................................. 70
2.3.2.1 The atrium house ......................................................................................... 70
2.3.2.2 Non-atrium houses ...................................................................................... 72
2.3.3 Labels and language ........................................................................................... 76
2.4 Additional approaches ............................................................................................. 81
2.4.1 ‘Ethno-history’ and spatial organisation .............................................................. 81
2.4.2 Decorative pavements ......................................................................................... 88
2.4.3 Room perception and function ............................................................................ 98
2.4.3.1 The Colonnaded Garden ............................................................................. 98
2.4.3.2 Main room(s) ..............................................................................................100
2.4.3.3 Small square rooms ...................................................................................101
2.4.3.4 Entranceways ............................................................................................104
2.4.3.5 Courtyards and spatial organisation ..........................................................105
2.4.3.6 Bathing areas .............................................................................................110
2.5 Conclusion: present approach ...............................................................................112
Chapter 3: Urban Domestic Architecture of the Greek Foundation Settlements ....... 114
3.1 Introduction to settlement type ..............................................................................114
3.2 Licata......................................................................................................................116
3.2.1 Historical background ........................................................................................116
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3.2.2 Topography and urban plan ..............................................................................117
3.2.3 Excavation and publication ................................................................................120
3.2.4 Date ....................................................................................................................120
3.2.5 Domestic architecture ........................................................................................123
3.2.5.1 Lic01, Lic02, Lic03, and Lic04 (the Houses below the Castello Hill) .......123
3.3 Heraclea Minoa ......................................................................................................127
3.3.1 Historical background ........................................................................................127
3.3.2 Topography and urban plan ..............................................................................128
3.3.3 Excavation and publication ................................................................................133
3.3.4 Date ....................................................................................................................134
3.3.5 Domestic architecture ........................................................................................141
3.3.5.1 HM01 (Casa 2C) ........................................................................................141
3.3.5.2 HM02 (Casa 2A) ........................................................................................143
3.3.5.3 HM03 (Casa 2B) ........................................................................................145
3.3.5.4 HM04 (Peristyle House) ............................................................................152
3.3.5.5 HM05 (Casa 1E) ........................................................................................154
3.3.5.6 HM06 (Casa 1B) and HM07 (Casa 1C) ....................................................156
3.4 Tindari ....................................................................................................................160
3.4.1 Historical background ........................................................................................160
3.4.2 Topography and urban plan ..............................................................................162
3.4.3 Excavation and publication ................................................................................164
3.4.4 Date ....................................................................................................................165
3.4.5 Domestic architecture ........................................................................................168
3.4.5.1 Tin01 (Casa B) ...........................................................................................168
3.4.5.2 Tin02 (Casa C) ..........................................................................................173
3.5 Brief summary of settlement type ..........................................................................174
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Chapter 4: Urban Domestic Architecture of the Phoenicio-Carthaginian Foundation
Settlements.......................................................................................................................... 177
4.1 Introduction to settlement type ..............................................................................177
4.2 Palermo ..................................................................................................................180
4.2.1 Historical background ........................................................................................180
4.2.2 Topography and urban plan ..............................................................................181
4.2.3 Excavation and publication ................................................................................185
4.2.4 Date ....................................................................................................................186
4.2.5 Domestic architecture ........................................................................................187
4.2.5.1 Pal01 (Casa B) ..........................................................................................187
4.3 Marsala ..................................................................................................................194
4.3.1 Historical background ........................................................................................194
4.3.2 Topography and urban plan ..............................................................................195
4.3.3 Excavation and publication ................................................................................198
4.3.4 Date ....................................................................................................................200
4.3.5 Domestic architecture ........................................................................................201
4.3.5.1 Mar02, Mar03, and Mar04 (the houses on the via Sabilla, via delle Ninfe,
and viale Vittorio Veneto) ..........................................................................................201
4.4 Solunto ...................................................................................................................204
4.4.1 Historical background ........................................................................................204
4.4.2 Topography and urban plan ..............................................................................205
4.4.3 Excavation and publication ................................................................................212
4.4.4 Date ....................................................................................................................213
4.4.5 Domestic architecture ........................................................................................215
4.4.5.1 Sol01 (Casa di Leda) .................................................................................215
4.4.5.2 Sol02 (Casa del Cerchio in Mosaico) ........................................................223
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4.4.5.3 Sol03 (Casa a Cortile) ...............................................................................226
4.4.5.4 Sol04 (Edificio con Macina) .......................................................................228
4.4.5.5 Sol05 (Casa con ‘Atrium Tuscanicum’) .....................................................229
4.4.5.6 Sol06 (Casa di Arpocrate) .........................................................................232
4.4.5.7 Sol07 (the so-called ‘Ginnasio’) .................................................................237
4.4.5.8 Sol08 (Casa del Deposito a Volta) ............................................................240
4.4.5.9 Sol09 (Casa del Vano Circolare) ...............................................................244
4.4.5.10 Sol10 (Casa del Corridoio) ....................................................................246
4.4.5.11 Sol11 (Casa delle Maschere) ................................................................248
4.4.5.12 Sol12 (Bottega Artigiana con Abitazione) .............................................250
4.4.5.13 Sol13 (Casa delle Ghirlande) ................................................................252
4.5 Brief summary of settlement type ..........................................................................254
Chapter 5: Urban Domestic Architecture of the Indigenous Foundation Settlements
.............................................................................................................................................. 255
5.1 Introduction to settlement type ..............................................................................255
5.2 Morgantina .............................................................................................................258
5.2.1 Historical background ........................................................................................258
5.2.2 Topography and urban plan ..............................................................................259
5.2.3 Excavation and publication ................................................................................263
5.2.4 Date ....................................................................................................................264
5.2.5 Domestic architecture ........................................................................................267
5.2.5.1 Morg01 (House of Ganymede) ..................................................................268
5.2.5.2 Morg02 (House of the Arched Cistern) .....................................................276
5.2.5.3 Morg03 (House of the Official) ..................................................................288
5.2.5.4 Morg04 (House of the Palmento) ..............................................................295
5.2.5.5 Morg05 (House of the Mended Pithos) .....................................................298
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5.2.5.6 Morg06 and Morg07 (Houses of the Double Cistern and Gold Hoard) ....300
5.2.5.7 Morg08 (House of the Doric Capital) .........................................................303
5.2.5.8 Morg09 (House of the Tuscan Capitals) ...................................................313
5.2.5.9 Morg10 (Pappalardo House) .....................................................................323
5.3 Monte Iato ..............................................................................................................327
5.3.1 Historical background ........................................................................................327
5.3.2 Topography and urban plan ..............................................................................328
5.3.3 Excavation and publication ................................................................................331
5.3.4 Date ....................................................................................................................332
5.3.5 Domestic architecture ........................................................................................335
5.3.5.1 Iato01 (Peristyle House I) ..........................................................................335
5.3.5.2 Iato02 (Peristyle House II) .........................................................................345
5.3.5.3 Iato03 and Iato04 (East Quarter Houses) .................................................348
5.4 Segesta ..................................................................................................................350
5.4.1 Historical background ........................................................................................350
5.4.2 Topography and urban plan ..............................................................................352
5.4.3 Excavation and publication ................................................................................354
5.4.4 Date ....................................................................................................................355
5.4.5 Domestic architecture ........................................................................................357
5.4.5.1 Seg01 (the so-called ‘Casa del Navarcha’, SAS 9) ..................................357
5.5 Brief summary of settlement type ..........................................................................359
Chapter 6: Urban Domestic Architecture of Mid-Republican Sicily: a Summary and
Analysis of Types, Pavements, and Identity ................................................................... 362
6.1 House and courtyard type .....................................................................................362
6.1.1 Non-colonnaded-courtyard houses ...................................................................362
6.1.1.1 Hall house ..................................................................................................363
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6.1.1.2 Modest ‘semi-rural’ courtyard house .........................................................363
6.1.1.3 Single-colonnade-courtyard house ...........................................................364
6.1.1.4 Corridor house ...........................................................................................364
6.1.1.5 Lateral-non-colonnaded-courtyard house .................................................365
6.1.1.6 Central-non-colonnaded-courtyard house ................................................366
6.1.2 Multiple-courtyard houses .................................................................................373
6.1.3 Colonnaded courtyards .....................................................................................381
6.2 Room type ..............................................................................................................385
6.2.1 Shops .................................................................................................................385
6.2.2 Entranceways and entrance dependents ..........................................................391
6.2.3 Main rooms and main-room dependents ..........................................................393
6.2.4 Food preparation, latrines, and bathing ............................................................407
6.2.5 Small square rooms, sleeping, secluded, and other .........................................413
6.3 Decorative pavements ...........................................................................................420
6.4 Mid-Republican Sicilian domestic identities ..........................................................433
Chapter 7: Conclusion – The Socio-cultural Impact of Roman Hegemony on Sicilian
Urban Domestic Architecture: Aspects of Cross-Cultural Contact during the Mid-
Republican Period .............................................................................................................. 447
7.1 Non-colonnaded-courtyard houses .......................................................................447
7.2 Colonnaded-courtyard houses ..............................................................................450
7.3 The bigger picture: Sicily within the Mediterranean ..............................................453
7.4 The even bigger picture: Sicily within modern discourse ......................................456
7.5 Current and future research ..................................................................................466
7.6 Concluding remarks ...............................................................................................470
Works Cited ......................................................................................................................... 473
Appendices.......................................................................................................................... 498
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Appendix A: Analytical categories .....................................................................................498
A.1 House type .........................................................................................................498
A.2 Room type ..........................................................................................................498
A.3 Features .............................................................................................................503
A.4 Decorative pavement .........................................................................................504
Appendix B: Summary tables: possible indicators of cross-cultural practices .................506
Appendix C: Catalogue ......................................................................................................510
C.1 Heraclea Minoa (HM) ........................................................................................511
C.2 Monte Iato (Iato) ................................................................................................521
C.3 Licata (Lic) .........................................................................................................532
C.4 Marsala (Mar).....................................................................................................540
C.5 Morgantina (Morg) .............................................................................................543
C.6 Palermo (Pal) .....................................................................................................580
C.7 Segesta (Seg) ....................................................................................................583
C.8 Solunto (Sol) ......................................................................................................586
C.9 Tindari (Tin) ........................................................................................................617
Appendix D: Summary tables: types, features, decorative pavements, and social
stratification ........................................................................................................................622
D.1 Summaries of house type ..................................................................................623
D.2 Summaries of room type ...................................................................................629
D.3 Summaries of decorative pavements ................................................................656
D.4 Summaries of social stratification ......................................................................666

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