1. Roman Education
Gracie Schmitz

2. Origins of Education Early Republic: Informal education from parents
Schools began to form at the height of the Republic - for upper classes
Greek (Graecus) conquest led to reform
Greeks became slaves and worked as teachers
Education largely based on Ancient Greece
The School of Athens by Raphael

3. Who was Educated? Wealthy vs. Poor Boys (puerī) vs. Girls (puellae)
Only the wealthy children received formal education - they could afford it
the children of poor families received very minimal / informal education or none at all
Boys (puerī) vs. Girls (puellae)
Both went through primary school
Boys continued passed girls in training for jobs
Girls stayed in the home and looked for husbands

4. Purpose Boys Boys went to school for various reasons which included:
Public speaking
Geography
Law - Lēgis
Philosophy
Some boys were trained for the army as well in school
Physical activity was incorporated from Greek influence
Girls
Girls mostly learned domestic activities which included cleaning and sewing
They were able to learn reading and writing as well

5. Locations of Schooling
Home tutoring
Usually for girls - learn household jobs
Very rich families used private tutor
Parents taught from the home
Some hired slaves to teach their children
One room Schoolhouse
Usually connected to a shop / house
Very limited resources
Similar to early American schoolhouses

6. School Life Took place 7 days a week Resources Wooden tablets
Many holidays observed by the schools
Closed on market days
Students came home for lunch and went through school in two sessions
Resources
Papyrus scrolls were used for reading
Wax on wood and pottery pieces were used along with sticks for writing

7. A whip used by teachers in ancient Rome
School Life
Strict Education
Treated poorly if they were not behaving well or answering correctly
Cane or whip used
Many disliked school due to the harsh treatment they received
Teachers - Magistrae
Paid very poorly & worked long hours
Received high status in society
Paid directly by parents (similar to extracurricular activities today)
A whip used by teachers in ancient Rome
This image shows a school beating

8. Levels of Schooling Ludus Litterarius First / Primary School
Informal - no set location
Taught by “litterator”
Secondary School
Wealthy boys received this education
Taught by Grammaticus
Girls stopped education before this point usually
Expert Education / Rhetor
Only the best of the best reached this level
For public speaking mostly
Movement from one level to the next was based on ability, not age. This is a difference from modern education.

9. Overview
The Roman education system progressed greatly from the early Republic to the late Empire period.
In the beginning, it was very informal and largely based out of the home
Children learned from their parents
Later, formal schools developed and education had high value
It determined one’s social status - not necessarily their job

11. Works Cited http://quatr.us/romans/people/school.htm