Roman Insulae

In the cities of ancient Rome, most residents lived in apartment buildings called insulae. The tallest surviving examples are five stories high, with the quality of living decreasing on the higher floors. A small number of wealthy, upper-class individuals lived in townhouses (domus), and they might also have villas in the countryside a day or two’s journey away. In the 4th century, the city of Rome had approximately 42,000 to 46,000 apartment buildings, but only 1,790 townhouses in the late 3rd century. Early Christian church gatherings took place in these very apartment buildings and townhouses.

The Bible records this in [Acts 20:8-12]: “There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. ‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said. ‘He’s alive!’ Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After he had talked until daylight, he left. The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.”