Pompeii, Caecilius, and Metella
Pompeii’s Beginnings Founded in 7 th -6 th centuries B.C. Changed hands – ◦ Greeks/Phoenicians, Oscans, Etruscans, Samnites Roman ally after 2 nd Samnite War Turns on Rome during Social War ◦ Becomes colony of Rome in 80 BC
1 st centuries BC & AD Flourishes as multicultural port Near the Via Appia Rich Roman country estates nearby Farms and businesses ◦ Vesuvinum – Vesuvius + vinum
City’s Features Amphitheatre Oldest; first stone
Theatres One indoor, one out Plays, concerts, mimes, and more Small – 1,000 Large – 5,000
Palaestra Ancient version of the Y Exercise yard Boxing, wrestling Rooms around for multiple uses
Aqua Augusta Aqueduct for water supply Little remains; Pont du Gard in France:
Forum Temples to Apollo, Jupiter, and the emperor Polling Station Market Law court Public Toilet
Other Signs of City Life Macellum Thermopolium Graffiti Ads Political Slogans Public Notices Sidewalks
Feb 5, 62 AD Massive earthquake damages the city Lamps fall; fire breaks out Anarchy, looting, starvation ◦ When have we seen anarchy after a recent natural disaster in America? The real Caecilius apparently dies
Lucius Caecilius Iucundus Roman citizen – 3 names Lucius – his praenomen Caecilius – nomen Iucundus – cognomen No agnomen, or nickname
Spot in Society Son of Felix, a freedman Citizen’s Rights ◦ Vote, office, property, contracts, marriage, trial, appeal, suing ◦ Can’t be tortured, whipped, or killed unless convicted of treason One of the richest dudes in town
Jobs and Business Banker, money lender Tax collector Farmer Owned shops ◦ Slaves, cloth, dyes, timber, property, livestock, cleaning services
Death & Legacy Earthquake; house remains ◦ Wax records, strongboxes, Lararium Our book has him survive this Doctor Who
Metella Not strictly based on a real person Role of a rich woman/mother ◦ Ran the house ◦ Kids, slaves, cleaning, preparing for dinners
Women’s Legal Rights No vote Could have property of her own Authority over kids, slaves Could inherit from her husband Political sway possible
Women’s Social Freedoms Very visible (unlike Greeks) Public shopping, bathing, entertainment Campaigning, dining with husband
Women’s Jobs Cooking, weaving, hairdressing, making shoes, metalworking Midwives and nurses Patronesses/business ladies could donate to public buildings