Transcript Ancient Rome Pompeii & Herculaneum

Ancient Rome
Pompeii & Herculaneum
Social Structure
Plebeians and Patricians
The People
• Wealthy Romans often holidayed in
Pompeii in magnificant villas which they
built on the hills overlooking the sea.
• Population before the eruption –
estimated between 10 000 – 20 000.
Approx 40% were SLAVES.
Roman Social Structure
• Extremely class-conscious society
• Based on HIERARCHY with no definite middle
class
• People were born into a particular social class
and it was difficult to change classes
• Factors that determined ones place in society
included:
- citizenship status
- place of birth
- level of wealth
- living in country or city
- freedom
Roman Social Structure
• There were numerous divisions in the
social structure and these divisions
between groups were often reinforced by
legal & political privileges
• “Legal status defined power, influence,
criminal punishments, marriage partners,
even dress and where you sat in the
amphitheatre.” (Dr. Valerie Hope)
Roman Social Structure
• There were Roman citizens at Pompeii
who were clearly identified by their power
and privilege. These were the senators,
equestrians and the provincial elite
The Upper Strata
• When P&H came under Roman control, the form
of government was a republic in which the
Senate and the magistrates held power.
• Their position was based on birth and wealth
• When Augustus came to power in 28BC, Rome
underwent a significant change.
• Power was now in the hands of one man,
emperor, although senators and magistrates
continued to function.
• 28BC-AD79: Pompeii had senators, equestrians,
freedmen (liberti), lower strata and slaves.
Senators
Qualifications: property qualifications of one
million sesterces.
Duties: served emperor in offices throughout
the empire
• Most gained their wealth from large
estates
• The position was hereditary
• Distinguished by their clothing – a toga
with a broad purple stripe
Equestrians (Equites)
Qualifications: property qualifications of 400 000
sesterces.
Duties: served the emperor in important posts such as
commanders of the fire service, grain supply and as
military officers. For example, Pliny the Elder was an
equestrian and held the post of commander of the fleet at
Misenum.
• Gained their wealth from public office, trade and
banking
• Their position was NOT hereditary
• Wore a toga with a narrow purple strip and a gold finger
ring
• Imperial period - increased in numbers & importance
Freedmen (Liberti)
Qualifications: were slaves who had been
given their freedom by various means.
• Gained wealth from trade, banking,
manufacturing and land ownership.
• Were excluded from entering the
senatorial order, but some were able to
become equestrians.
Lower Strata
• There was great diversity among the lower strata of
Roman society.
• This stratum consisted of poor freeborn citizens, poor
freedmen and slaves.
• These people were city dwellers or urban plebs.
• They were generally despised and their lives were hard:
- they suffered squalid living conditions
- unpleasant working conditions
- inferior food and clothing
• Occupations varied: legal advisers, doctors, scribes,
actors, engineers, working in small businesses, crafts and
trade.
Lower Strata
• Craftsmen and artisans belonged to guilds called
COLLEGIA. These guilds were controlled by the
state and the members paid dues for meals and a
decent burial.
• One way to improve social standing was through
their membership of the trade or religious
guilds.
• It was possible for members of the lower social
strata to hold office and titles within these
collegia. In wider society they could not hold
much authority.
Slaves
• Performed most of the work in agriculture and
manufacturing, and upper class Romans drew most of
their wealth from exploiting slave labour.
• Romans saw the ownership of slaves as a valid
expression of power, but they regarded slavery ‘as a state
of living death’ (K. Bradley)
• Slaves were generally looked down on in society (even
after they were freed).
• Slaves were those who had been defeated in war, or were
free citizens who had sold themselves to pay their debts.
• The state often purchased and used slaves.
Women
• Typical role of women was to perform tasks such
as running a household, bringing up the children
and controlling the finances.
• Evidence provides a valuable insight into the
lives of women in all social classes.
• Women appeared to have had more freedom
than their counterparts in Rome.
• Wall paintings, inscriptions and frescoes show
Pompeian women actively engaged in public life
and moving freely around the city.
SOURCE ACTIVITY
Complete pages 19-21 of the book of sources