Roman and Greek Furniture Overview

Early Greek furniture was largely influenced from furniture crafted by the Egyptians. Paintings created during that era depict furniture as unbending and rectangular. One of the more common types of furniture during this time was the banquet couch, called the Kline, used for sleeping as well as dining. The Kline distinguished itself from the Egyptian version by longer legs and the addition of a backrest. This type of furniture is depicted in many paintings throughout the era.

There are many other common types of Greek furniture. Stools were a popular form of furniture and the Greeks had three different types populated throughout their homes. The Bathron was the most common stool and consisted of flat seat and four legs, the Diphros Okladias had a tripod base, and the Thronos which was often lined with jewels and found only in the most opulent domiciles.

Furniture found during the classical Greek era differed little from that of early Greek furniture. There were however some slight changes as the wealthier tried to outdo one another by creating more decorated and fancier Thronos. Some drawings also started to depict Klinus that had jewels embedded in the furniture's borders.

Roman Furniture was Influenced by Greek Furniture

Many scholars believe Roman furniture was largely influenced by the Greeks. The styles and types of furniture created by the Romans were similar to those developed by the Greeks. However one area of distinction involves the materials used in creating the furniture. The Romans made greater use of bronze, silver, gold, and marble when constructing their furniture. Additionally, the Roman designs tended to be more complex and practical. For instance, Roman furniture was often easier to disassemble, allowing for easier transportation than the Greek’s furniture.

In Roman times furniture was often a status symbol, much like cars are today. It is well documented that Cicero had an extensive collection of exquisite and valuable furniture. A large portion of his furniture was made with wood from Africa, known as Thyine. It was believed that presence of thyine in a household endowed the owner with good fortune. Cicero also possessed a small table that cost him one million sesterces, or approximately $15,000 by today’s standards. It may be hard to imagine paying that much for a piece of furniture. But in Cicero’s time high priced furniture was a common expense for the upper class.

While Greek and Roman furniture was originally inspired by the Egyptians, the furniture of many future eras was inspired by the unique styles introduced by the Romans and Greeks. As mentioned, furniture changed dramatically during these time periods. Furniture transformed from stiff and dull into beautiful works of art that could be enjoyed not only for their comfort, but also their appearance.