Around the first year of the AD, due to the promotion of the Romans and their strict production process, glass achieved great success. Glassblowing (a technique brought to Rome from Syria) enabled artisans (often slaves) to make glass cups and bowls much faster than before. Cheap glasses began to appear on the market. Soon, the popularity of glass among ordinary Romans rivaled that of ceramics. Artists began experimenting with richer forms of art with glass, creating Rose Janus face vases and wine bottles decorated with scenes of nativity. Builders began to use glass for Windows, but because the glass was cloudy and heavy, the purpose was not so much for lighting as for safety and insulation. We find traces of glass Windows throughout Rome and surrounding cities, including luxurious tiles and well-preserved bathhouses in Pompeii.
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