The Roman Invention of Luxury
The Romans' ingenious system of underfloor heating, known as the hypocaust, transformed warmth into a mark of power in ancient Roman villas.
When considering Roman engineering, one might think of grand feats such as aqueducts, amphitheatres, and paved roads. However, the hypocaust remains a notable feature of Roman domestic life.
"The hypocaust system is really important for us to think about when we consider Roman homes,"
explains Dr Hannah Platts on the HistoryExtra podcast. Archaeologists still identify the distinctive stacks of bricks beneath villa floors as a mark of Roman sophistication.
Author's summary: Romans invented underfloor heating.