Roman life

Romans as builders

Romans as builders Romans build and paved some roads to connect the important centers of the Empire. Ease of travel enabled the Romans to maintain control. Roads to the center of the Empire managed to make transportation of goods easy and cheap. Aqueducts were used to transport water to the cities which then made it possible for the cities to expand and grow.

More about: builders Streets had no lights so vigils (police firefighters) carrying small lanterns walked the dark alleys to protect the citizens. “All roads lead to Rome” Most Romans traveled on foot. Others on horseback, chariots, or carriages. Vehicles with wheels were prohibited during the day, and the wealthy traveled in litters.

Toys and games

Toys and games Leapfrog rolled hoops jumped rope Board games with dice spun tops Checkers played jacks Chess rode on swings played catch played with dolls

More about: Toys and Games Hoops were adorned with bells that chimed when the hoops rolled. Soccer was also popular and known as harpastum. At different times, laws attempted to put an end to the game because it interfered with time spent in learning useful military skills, such as archery and wrestling. Childhood ended much sooner than that of today’s children. As early as 10 years old, boys began to work. Girls were responsible for the household. Boys married as young as fifteen and girls as early as thirteen.

Food

Food Bread was the most essential thing to a Roman meal. Olive oil was used for cooking, lighting, and cleansing the body. Pork was the Roman’s favorite meat. Oysters were a delicacy of the wealthy. Dinner time was around 3-4 o’clock. Romans ate dinner relaxed around a table or on couches. Spoons and fingers were mostly used for eating.

More about: Food About 90% of the Roman Empire’s population lived by farming. Romans had good farming skills; they used fertilizers, rotated crops periodically to allow the soil to rest, and invented farming tools to make planting and reaping easier and more efficient.

Life and work

Life and work In early Roman times, farming was the main occupation. Common Romans lived in crowded dingy apartments. Trades men could practice are: weaving, shoemakers, blacksmiths, gold/silversmiths, potters, bakers, barbers, carpenters, stonemasons. Life was hard for a tradesman because they worked long hours for low wages.

More about: life and work Social classes: Senatorial Order – officeholders Equestrian Order – businessmen and landowners Plebeian Order – working class Freedmen – former slaves who now have a right to vote and own property but not hold office. Slaves – no rights whatsoever Slaves: Not only in Roman society Prisoners of ware, people who lost their freedom due to debt and crimes, kidnapped by pirates, children of slaves Bought – price depended on skills All Roman families except the poorest had at least one slave in the home. Slaves could buy their freedom or were freed from their Roman family.

Education

Education Roman girls were educated at home since they did not require skills to pursue careers outside the home. Local schoolmasters set up schools in their homes. Most boys stopped schooling after elementary school. Roman boys studied reading, writing, and arithmetic. Children began school around 6 or 7 years old.

More about: education Elementary school Grammar school 7-15 years of age Reading, Writing, Arithmetic Children were often taught these skills at home by an educated slave. Grammar school Latin and Greek Languages and Literature Rhetoric school/college Training in public speaking, writing, and politics. Only sons of senators received this advanced training. On completion, Roman boys could travel abroad for specialized courses in philosophy, law, and public speaking.

Fashions

Fashions The basic garment was a tunic; a long, loose fitting shirt. A toga is a large semi-circular piece of white fabric for only Romans. A stola is a women’s dress that is gathered just above the waist. Roman women made their selves beautiful with ribbons in long hair, make-up, false teeth. Roman boys celebrated their first time shaving.

More about: Fashions No pants – Only “barbarians” wore pants No hats Romans brushed their teeth with a white chalky powder, and some Romans wore false teeth made of ivory. Women or slaves often spun wool and wove cloth at home. The cloth was then sent for cleaning, bleaching, stretching, combing, and flattening.

sports

Sports Romans watched sporting events, gladiatorial shows, circus acts, and theater in their free time. Games were sponsored by wealthy citizens and public officials. Admission was free for everyone.

baths

Roman baths Apartments had no toilet/bathrooms. Baths were used for cleanliness, health, relaxation, and fun. Thing you could find at a bath house: sauna, massage room, lounge, library, snack shop, exercise room, barber shop The largest bath house could hold 30,000 people. Anyone could go to a bath house. – must pay a small fee Upon entering a bath house you were given olive oil & a scraper.

More about: roman baths Every town had at least one public bath, and many larger towns had several. It was forbidden for men and women to use the baths together. Separate facilities or different hours were set up for them.