Andron (Greek:ἀνδρών,andrōn)[1] orandronitis (ἀνδρωνῖτις,andrōnitis)[2] is part of a Greek house that is reserved for men, as distinguished from thegynaeceum (γυναικεῖον,gynaikeion), the women's quarters.[3] Theandrōn was used for entertaining male guests.[4] For this purpose the room held couches, usually an odd number to allow space for the door, tables which could be tucked under the couches, artwork and any other necessary paraphernalia. Not all classical Greek houses were large enough to have a dedicatedandrōn, and even those that did might have used the room for mixed-gendered events and women receiving female guests, as well as men hostingsymposia.[5]
In excavations atOlynthus, rooms identified asandrōnes contained items identified with female activities, as in the rest of the house.[5]
The definition ofandrōn changed from Ancient Greek literature of Homer to the Latin of Vitruvius. Vitruvius explains some of the changes in Book 6 ofDe architectura;[6] architectural theorist Simon Weir has explained the context around Vitruvius's comments.[7]
Art historian Hallie Franks has explained the metaphors of movement in Greekandrōns.[8]
One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Andron".Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 1 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 975.| Shared rooms | |
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| Private rooms | |
| Spaces | |
| Technical,utility andstorage | |
| Great house areas | |
| Other | |
| Architectural elements | |
| Related | |
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