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Private houses, even palaces, were usually of the style that emphasized interior courts and gardens rather than external facade; this tradition was even maintained so far as possible in Roman settlements in northern Europe and Britain, where elaborate arrangements for heating had to be added. In the native Mediterranean climate, however, construction tended to be light and open rather than compact and imposing. Even the palaces of the Caesars in Rome consisted essentially of series of gardens and, considering their purpose, relatively unmonumental buildings, spread somewhat casually over the Palatine Hill. Augustus himself bought and enlarged the house known as ...(100 of 75935 words)