Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Oecus

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Rich, Anthony (1849). The illustrated companion to the Latin dictionary, and Greek lexicon. p. vi. OCLC 894670115. https://archive.org/details/illustratedcompa00rich. 

OE'CUS or -OS (οἶκος). Literally, the Greek name for a house Latinized; and for a particular apartment in a house; originally of Greek design, but subsequently adopted by the Roman architects, who introduced several novelties into its constructive details. In general style of arrangement, it bore a close resemblance to the atrium, with the exception of being a close apartment, covered entirely by a roof, without any opening (compluvium) in the centre; and was principally, though not exclusively, used as a banquetting hall, but surpassing in height and area, as well as splendour, the ordinary dining-room (triclinium). (Vitruv. vi. 7. 2. and 4. Plin. H. N. xxxvi. 60.) These apartments were built in four different styles, each designated by an epithet descriptive of the construction employed, or naming the country from which the particular plan was borrowed, or where it was most in use: viz.

1. Oecus tetrastylos. The four-columned oecus resembled an atrium of the same name (wood-cut s. ATRIUM 2.), excepting that it had no impluvium, and the roof covered the square within the four columns, as well as the aisles all round them. Vitruv. vi. 3. 8.

2. Oecus Corinthius. The Corinthian oecus resembled an atrium of the same name (see wood-cut s. ATRIUM, 3.), excepting that it had a vaulted roof, supported upon columns at a certain distance from the side-walls, but without any opening in the centre or impluvium below. Vitruv. vi. 3. 9.

3. Oecus Aegyptius. The Egyptian oecus was more splendid than the last described, having its roof over the central portion of the saloon supported upon a double row of columns, like a basilica (see wood-cut p. 81.), and thus a story higher than the sides, which projected like wings all round, and were covered with a flat roof and pavement, forming a promenade round the central and higher portion of the building. Vitruv. vi. 3. 9.

4. Oecus Cyzicenus. The Cyzicene oecus, which was a novelty in Italy at the time of Vitruvius, though of frequent occurrence in Greece, was principally intended for summer use; its characteristic peculiarity consisted in having glass doors or windows reaching down to the ground, in order that the persons reclining at table might enjoy a view of the surrounding country on all sides. Vitruv. vi. 3. 10.