The Roman triclinium, often known as the Roman dining room, Because it was a space where a lot of time would be spent dining, relaxing, and having long talks with visitors, the triclinium was a magnificently designed chamber. Despite common perception, not all Romans ate while reclining on couches. The triclinium was actually used for various entertaining purposes as well as eating. In ancient Rome, there were three main types of rooms used for dining and entertaining guests: the atrium, the peristyle, and the triclinium. The atrium was a large open area with columns supporting the roof. It was used for large parties or when food was needed to feed an army camped outside of town. The peristyle had four columns around a central courtyard. It was used for smaller social gatherings or when you wanted to show off your wealth. The triclinium was a special type of room used only for dining. It had three rows of chairs attached to a wall with their backs to this row of seats. Their arms were made of ivory or silver and each one had its own cover. In winter, heat could be provided by burning wood in a fire place or by moving some of the tables together. In summer, a cooling system of pipes or open windows might be used. People in ancient Rome lived very hard lives and so entertainment was important. The Romans enjoyed singing, dancing, comedy, and games.