Daily Life in Ancient Rome

Ancient Rome Live
9 Aug 202310:49
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script delves into the daily lives of average, non-elite Romans, offering a glimpse into their leisure activities and social status through art and artifacts. It highlights the importance of wax tablets and pens as symbols of education and status, as depicted in portraits of modestly wealthy Romans. The script also explores the fallonica, a place for finishing and cleaning woven cloth, and the labor-intensive process involved. The bustling port life is illustrated through the Terlonia relief, showcasing the complex rigging of ships and the busy harbor activities. Fast food counters, or thermopolia, are depicted through frescoes from Pompeii, revealing the dynamic scenes within these establishments. The script further discusses various processions, including the grand Roman Triumph and more modest ones like that of the carpenters, the fabri technari, who are shown carrying a shrine dedicated to their patron goddess, Minerva. The video concludes by inviting viewers to anticipate more episodes in the series and to engage with additional content on ancient Rome.

Takeaways
  • 🎨 **Art as a Window to Roman Life**: Ancient Roman art, especially from Rome and the Vesuvian cities, provides an authentic glimpse into the lives of average Romans.
  • 📜 **Writing and Record-Keeping**: Wax tablets within wooden frames and pens were symbols of education and status, as seen in portraits of modestly wealthy Romans.
  • 📚 **Lucius Kakilishukundis' Legacy**: A significant find of 153 wax tablets from his house in Pompeii offers insight into banking records and daily activities in Pompeii from 15 to 62 A.D.
  • 👕 **The Fallonica Business**: The fallonica was a place for finishing and cleaning woven cloth, with processes depicted on a preserved pillar from the fallonica of Lucius Varanas Abseus.
  • 🚢 **Port Life and Industry**: The Terlonia relief showcases the bustling port life in Portus, with detailed depictions of ship rigging, lighthouse, and the offloading process.
  • 🛶 **River Transport**: The Isis Giminiana, a river transport boat, illustrates the transportation of goods like grain up the Tiber to Rome.
  • 🍽️ **Eating Out in Rome**: Fast food counters known as thermopolia were common in Roman cities, as depicted in scenes from Pompeii and other locations.
  • 🏺 **Bar Scenes and Social Life**: Mosaics and paintings preserve the dynamic scenes of bars and social interactions, including drinking, gaming, and disputes.
  • 🏛️ **Processions and Celebrations**: Processions, both grand and modest, were an integral part of Roman city life, with the Roman Triumph being a notable example.
  • 🛠️ **Craftsmen and Their Work**: Images and mosaics depict the various jobs and workshops of craftsmen, such as carpenters, metal workers, and mosaic makers.
  • 🔍 **Continued Exploration**: The series on daily life in the Roman world is ongoing, with more episodes and live lectures to provide further insights.
Q & A

  • What was the significance of holding a tabella and a pen in Roman portraits?

    -Holding a tabella and a pen in Roman portraits was a sign of education and status in Roman society.

  • Who was Lucius Kakilishukundis and what was discovered in his house?

    -Lucius Kakilishukundis was active in Pompeii from 15 to 62 A.D. In his house, a treasure trove of 153 wax tablets were found, which were banking records detailing his life and activities in Pompeii.

  • What was the purpose of a fallonica in Roman society?

    -A fallonica was a place where woven cloth was finished and cleaned. It involved washing, whitening, and degreasing the cloth, followed by pressing, drying, combing, and fumigating it with sulfur.

  • What does the Terlonia relief depict about life at a Roman port?

    -The Terlonia relief depicts the bustling and industrial nature of life at a Roman port, showing ships arriving at the harbor, complex rigging, sails, an offering for safe travel, and a tugboat attached to a larger ship with an attendant offloading an amphora.

  • What was the typical dining experience like for average Romans in the cities of the Roman Empire?

    -The typical dining experience for average Romans in cities often involved eating at a kipona or a thermopolium, which were fast food counters. These places served a variety of dishes and were depicted in frescoes from Pompeii, Isla Sakura, and Ostentica.

  • What is the significance of the Roman Triumph in the context of Roman processions?

    -The Roman Triumph was a grand procession that celebrated military victories. It featured soldiers carrying a tropaeum with trophies, a procession of animals, and the victorious general riding in a chariot, symbolizing his temporary divine status.

  • What is depicted in the procession of the fabri technari, the Roman carpenters?

    -The procession of the fabri technari, depicted in Pompeii, shows carpenters carrying their own tropaeum, which includes a small wooden shrine with scenes of their work, a partially preserved image of Minerva, their patron goddess, and a statue identified as Daedalus, a mythological figure and a sponsor of the carpenters.

  • What is the role of the Isis Giminiana, a river transport boat, in the context of the script?

    -The Isis Giminiana is depicted as a river transport boat involved in the transportation of goods, such as dry goods in modii and sacks of grain, which were carried by slaves and destined for Rome along the Tiber River.

  • What can the mosaics from the Monte Martini Museum tell us about the craftsmanship of Roman mosaic workers?

    -The mosaics from the Monte Martini Museum showcase the incredible skill and artistry of Roman mosaic workers, as they demonstrate a high level of detail and beauty in the finished products.

  • What is the significance of the depictions of various jobs in Roman art?

    -The depictions of various jobs in Roman art provide a glimpse into the daily lives and occupations of average Romans, from metal workers to mosaic makers, offering a more comprehensive understanding of Roman society beyond the elite.

  • How can one stay updated with the new series on daily life in the Roman world?

    -To stay updated with the new series on daily life in the Roman world, one can subscribe to the newsletter on ancientromelive.org and support the creation of more original content by visiting ancienthomelive.org/support.

Outlines
00:00
🏛️ Daily Life of Ancient Romans Through Art

This paragraph delves into the lives of average, non-elite Romans, focusing on their leisure activities and how they are depicted in Roman art. It emphasizes the importance of examining art from Rome and the Vesuvian cities for an authentic portrayal of these individuals. The discussion includes specific events, jobs, and portraits that provide insights into the lives of Romans who were not particularly famous. Notable examples include wax tablet portraits symbolizing education and status, banking records from Lucius kakilishukundis found in Pompeii, and the operations within a fallonica, a place for finishing and cleaning woven cloth. The paragraph also touches on the busy life at Roman ports, as depicted in the Terlonia relief, and the various activities such as unloading ships and trading goods.

05:02
🍽️ Eating and Socializing in Roman Cities

The second paragraph explores the dining culture in the Roman Empire, highlighting the role of fast food counters known as thermopolia or kiosks. It describes the lively scenes within these establishments, as evidenced by the preserved images from Pompeii, Isla Sakura, and Ostia. These scenes include social interactions like drinking, playing dice, and even bar fights. The paragraph also discusses the role of such places for those without a full kitchen in their residence, making them a daily destination for meals. Additionally, it touches on the various processions that took place in Roman cities, from the grand Roman Triumphs to the more modest processions of tradespeople, such as the fabri tignarii or carpenters, carrying their own symbols of work and patron deities.

10:02
🛠️ Trades and Crafts in Roman Society

The final paragraph shifts the focus to the trades and crafts that were prevalent in the Roman world. It discusses the depiction of various jobs through mosaics and other art forms, providing a glimpse into the lives of workers such as metal smiths and mosaic makers. The paragraph marvels at the intricate and stunning results of their labor, as seen in the collection of mosaics from the Monty Martini Museum. The narrative concludes by inviting the audience to stay tuned for more episodes in the series on daily life in the Roman world and to engage with the content through live lectures and a newsletter subscription.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Roman Art
Roman Art refers to the creative works produced by the ancient Romans, which includes sculptures, paintings, and other visual representations. In the video, Roman Art is used to provide an authentic feel of the lives of average Romans, particularly through the examination of portraits and scenes from daily life depicted in art from Rome and the Vesuvian cities.
💡Wax Tablets
Wax tablets were writing materials used in ancient Rome, consisting of a wooden frame with a wax surface for writing on with a stylus. They signify education and status, as indicated by their inclusion in portraits of modestly wealthy Romans in the video. An example from the script involves a portrait where individuals are shown holding these tablets.
💡Fallonica Business
A fallonica was a type of business in ancient Rome where woven cloth was finished and cleaned. The term is related to the video's theme as it provides insight into the economic activities of the time. An example from the script describes the process within a fallonica, including washing, rubbing with Fuller's earth, and fumigating the cloth.
💡Portus
Portus was the great Imperial Port of Ostia, which is depicted in the Terlonia relief. It represents the bustling industrial activity and maritime trade of the Roman Empire. The video uses the relief to illustrate the dynamic life at a Roman port, including the arrival of ships, complex rigging, and the offloading of goods.
💡Thermopolium
A thermopolium was a type of fast food counter or eatery in ancient Roman cities. The video discusses how these establishments were a common place for Romans to eat their daily meals, especially those without full kitchen facilities at home. It is illustrated with scenes from Pompeii and other cities.
💡Roman Triumph
The Roman Triumph was a grand procession and ceremony in ancient Rome to celebrate military victories. It is mentioned in the video as a highlight of Roman culture, with the general riding in a chariot and the display of spoils of war. The video contrasts the grandeur of the Triumph with more modest processions that occurred regularly in Roman cities.
💡Fabri Tignarii
Fabri Tignarii refers to the carpenters or woodworkers of ancient Rome. The video discusses their procession, carrying a small wooden shrine and tools, as a representation of their trade. This is tied to the video's theme as it provides a glimpse into the professional lives and social status of craftsmen in Roman society.
💡Mosaic Workers
Mosaic workers were artisans who created images and patterns using small pieces of stone or glass, known as tesserae. The video highlights their skill and the stunning results of their work, as evidenced by the variety of mosaics from the Monte Martini Museum. This showcases the artistic and architectural achievements of the Roman world.
💡Daily Life
The concept of daily life is central to the video's theme, as it aims to explore how average Romans lived and spent their leisure time. It is discussed in the context of various activities and occupations, such as dining at a thermopolium, participating in processions, and working in trades like carpentry or mosaic-making.
💡Vesuvian Cities
The Vesuvian cities refer to the cities near Mount Vesuvius, including Pompeii and Herculaneum, which were preserved by the volcanic eruption of 79 AD. The video uses art and artifacts from these cities to gain insights into the lives of average Romans, as they provide a well-preserved snapshot of Roman life.
💡Ancient Rome Live
Ancient Rome Live is mentioned in the video as a resource for more information and live lectures on the subject of ancient Rome. It represents the educational aspect of the video's theme, encouraging viewers to engage further with the content and explore additional materials on Roman history and culture.
Highlights

The new series of Daily Life episodes in ancient Rome aims to shed light on the lives of average, non-elite Romans who are often overlooked.

Roman art, particularly from Rome and the Vesuvian cities, provides an authentic feel of the lives of these ordinary Romans.

Many portraits of modestly wealthy Romans show them holding wax tablets and a pen, signifying education and status in Roman society.

Lucius Kakilishukundis' house in Pompeii contained 153 wax tablets with banking records, revealing details about his life and activities from 15-62 A.D.

The fallonica was a place where woven cloth was finished and cleaned using various materials like urine, potash, and Natron.

Slaves, including children, were responsible for treading water to clean the cloth in a fallonica.

The Terlonia relief from the port of Portus depicts the bustling scene of ships arriving, complex rigging, and sailors offering thanks for safe travel.

A river transport boat relief shows slaves loading dry goods into a modius and carrying sacks of grain, bound for Rome.

In busy Roman cities, people often ate at fast food counters called thermopolia or kypoina.

Preserved images from Pompeii, Isola Sacra, and Ostia show the lively scenes inside these ancient bars, with people drinking, playing dice, and even fighting.

Roman Triumphs were grand processions featuring soldiers, trophies, animals, and the victorious general in a chariot.

More modest processions, like that of the carpenters' guild, showcased their patron goddess Minerva, tools, and scenes of their work.

Mosaics from the Borgia collection and the Montemartini Museum display the intricate work of Roman mosaic artists.

The collegium of the fabri dignity, an association of carpenters, took care of the roofing system of the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus.

Images from the Montemartini Museum depict various Roman professions, from metalworkers to mosaic makers.

Stay tuned for more episodes in the Daily Life in the Roman World series, and subscribe to the Ancient Rome Live newsletter for updates.

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