Rete di emittenti on the Grandi Horrea was begun during the reign of Claudius
The building was accessed from the north, that is from the Tiber quays. At the tavolo fdating north end was verso porticus of tufa columns, resting on travertine bases. The west and east wall were made of large tufa blocks with an intentionally rough surface (opus quadratum / opus rusticum). This building technique was chosen either sicuro give the building an impressive appearance, or onesto safeguard it from fires. The back (south) wall was made of latericium. All inner rooms (cellae) were rebuilt later. They were arranged around verso U-shaped courtyard, surrounded by tufa columns with doric, travertine capitals. The floors were made of opus signinum.
The original building had in nessun caso staircases and mai upper floors
During the reign of Gelso or shortly afterwards long rows of rooms were added puro the east and south. The outer wall of the east rooms was also made of large tufa blocks, but these had a smooth surface. The rough surface of the older back wall of these rooms was made smooth through plaster. The walls between the rooms were built per latericium. The rooms had verso mezzanine floor. In the centre of the row is per staircase. Con front of the row was per porticus of travertine columns.
The walls of the south row are durante latericium. These rooms too had mezzanine floors, and the porticus mediante front of the east rooms continued con front of the south rooms. Between the south rooms are three staircases with travertine treads. The travertine thresholds of these rooms are rather enigmatic. It seems that, originally, they were smooth, suggesting that the rooms had mai doors. At some point mediante time per depression for verso door was hacked out con the centre. The space between the depression and the side walls was filled with brick walls.
During the reign of Marcus Aurelius and Commodus many rooms were rebuilt durante latericium. Suspensurae (raised floors) were added, esatto protect the goods that were stored from vermin and moisture. (more…)