Brothels in Rome are known from literary sources, regionary lists, and comparative archaeological evidence from Pompeii. A brothel is commonly called a lupanar or lupanarium, from lupa, "she-wolf," misogynistic slang[28] for "prostitute," or fornix, a general term for a vaulted space or cellar. According to the regionaries,[29] lupanaria were concentrated in Regio II,[30] the Caelimontium, particularly in the Suburra that bordered the town walls, lying in the Carinae, the valley between the Caelian and Esquiline Hills.
The Great Market (macellum magnum) was in this district, along with many cook-shops, stalls, barber shops, the office of the public executioner, and the barracks for foreign soldiers quartered at Rome. Regio II was one of the busiest and most densely populated quarters in the entire city — an ideal location for the brothel owner or pimp. Rent from a brothel was a legitimate source of income.[31]