The culture of Rome
was at one time merely one made up of farmers, but as this society developed, the
culture of the people of ancient Rome began to vary greatly, ranging from the
poor commoners and slaves to the rich and powerful.
At the bottom of the barrel, so to speak, were the slaves. Slavery was a big part of Roman society for many years, and it was the most slavery-based culture in the world before the 17th century. Above the slaves were the ordinary, everyday Roman citizens. Above the Roman citizens were the equites. The equites eventually developed into a middle-class, but they were originally classified as people in the army rich enough to buy a horse. The highest ranking members of Roman society were the senators and their families. The senators were (in early Rome) most likely all from the class of Patricians. Patricians were hereditary aristocrats. Eventually, the standards for who became a senator and who did not, became more lax as men who were a part of the Plebian class were enrolled into the Senate.
The lives of the common roman citizens were fairly simple. Many lived in apartment buildings found throughout Rome, which were called insulae. Poverty was prevalent throughout Rome; poorer people lived on the higher floors of the apartments, and the more well-to-do on the lower floors. The wealthy people who did not live in villas that were located outside of the city had their homes, which, individually, were called a domus. The domus often had a shop, a reception area, and the actual living and household rooms. There was also a pool where rainwater was collected to be used elsewhere, and a garden.
Food was a commodity that was determined by a person’s wealth. The poor often only ate grain foods, while the wealthy were able to afford much more by way of meat, spices for flavor, etc. The main meal was often in the late afternoon, while breakfast and lunch were lighter fare.
The husband and father was the chief authority on every matter relating to the family in Rome, while the wife had limited rights. The wife, however, could run her household in the manner she saw fit and often educated her own children until they could get a tutor (at least, in wealthier families). As history in Rome progressed, women were allowed more rights, such as to be able to have jobs outside of the home.
The people of Rome often worshiped many different gods. The most popular included Jupiter, Juno, Pluto, Apollo, and Diana. They even had gods/goddess for days of the week and events or holidays.
At the bottom of the barrel, so to speak, were the slaves. Slavery was a big part of Roman society for many years, and it was the most slavery-based culture in the world before the 17th century. Above the slaves were the ordinary, everyday Roman citizens. Above the Roman citizens were the equites. The equites eventually developed into a middle-class, but they were originally classified as people in the army rich enough to buy a horse. The highest ranking members of Roman society were the senators and their families. The senators were (in early Rome) most likely all from the class of Patricians. Patricians were hereditary aristocrats. Eventually, the standards for who became a senator and who did not, became more lax as men who were a part of the Plebian class were enrolled into the Senate.
The lives of the common roman citizens were fairly simple. Many lived in apartment buildings found throughout Rome, which were called insulae. Poverty was prevalent throughout Rome; poorer people lived on the higher floors of the apartments, and the more well-to-do on the lower floors. The wealthy people who did not live in villas that were located outside of the city had their homes, which, individually, were called a domus. The domus often had a shop, a reception area, and the actual living and household rooms. There was also a pool where rainwater was collected to be used elsewhere, and a garden.
Food was a commodity that was determined by a person’s wealth. The poor often only ate grain foods, while the wealthy were able to afford much more by way of meat, spices for flavor, etc. The main meal was often in the late afternoon, while breakfast and lunch were lighter fare.
The husband and father was the chief authority on every matter relating to the family in Rome, while the wife had limited rights. The wife, however, could run her household in the manner she saw fit and often educated her own children until they could get a tutor (at least, in wealthier families). As history in Rome progressed, women were allowed more rights, such as to be able to have jobs outside of the home.
The people of Rome often worshiped many different gods. The most popular included Jupiter, Juno, Pluto, Apollo, and Diana. They even had gods/goddess for days of the week and events or holidays.