What is the term for the main reception hall in a Roman house?

The main reception hall in a Roman house is referred to as the atrium. This central space served as the focal point of the home, often featuring an opening (the compluvium) at the top to allow light and rainwater to enter. The atrium was typically decorated with various art and served multiple purposes, including a welcoming area for guests, a space for social gatherings, and a place for important family activities and rituals. In addition, the atrium usually contained a hearth and was often the first room one would enter upon entering the house, emphasizing its significance in daily Roman life.

The other terms mentioned refer to different parts of a Roman house. The peristylium is a colonnaded courtyard that often follows the atrium. The triclinium is specifically a dining room where formal meals were held, and the tablinum is a room that functioned as a study or office, usually located between the atrium and the peristylium. Each of these areas had its distinct role within the structure of a Roman home, but the atrium stands out as the main reception hall.