I.gen. aulāī, Verg. A. 3, 354; v. Neue, Formenl I. p 11), = αὐλή
I. Lit., the front court of a Grecian house (mostly poet.; syn. atrium): janitor aulae, i. e. Cerberus, Hor C. 3, 11, 16; also a court for the cattle (cf. αὐλη; Serv ad Verg. A. 9, 60): vacuam pastoris in aulam, Prop 4, 12, 39; so Hor. Ep 1, 2, 66; Petr. 119; Grat. Cyn. 167.—Also an inner court of a house, a hall, = atrium, Verg. A. 3, 354 lectus genialis in aulā est, Hor Ep 1, 1, 87—
II. Transf
1. A palace, the castle of a noble, the royal court (syn.. regia, palatium, basilica): illā se jactet in aulā Aeolus. Verg. A. 1, 140 (cf. Hom. Od 10, 1 sq.) fuscae deus aulae, i. e. Pluto, Prop. 5, 11, 5; cf. Hor. C. 2, 18, 31: “laeta Priami aula,” id. ib. 4, 6, 16; “4, 14, 36 al.: rarissimam rem in aulā consequi senectutem,” in a court, Sen. Ira, 2, 33; cf.: “caret invidendā Sobrius aulā,” Hor. C. 2, 10, 8.—Poet., of the cell of the queen-bee: aulas et cerea regna refingunt, Verg G. 4, 202.—
2. Meton.
a. Princely power, dignity: “rex omniauctoritate aulae communita imperium cum dignitate obtinuit,” Cic. Fam. 15, 4 qui tum aulā et novo rege potiebatur, i. e. possessed the highest influence at court, Tac. A. 6, 43. —