Insula

insula

1. In Roman town planning, a block of buildings surrounded by streets.

2. A Roman apartment house occupying such a block.

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Insula 

a multistoried ancient Roman dwelling usually constructed of brick, with rooms or apartments that were rented out. The three- to five-storied dwellings appeared no later than the third century B.C. The apartments were usually grouped around a small court and often occupied an entire block. They made up a large part of the Roman cities.