Life in Ancient Rome for the Rich

Questions and Answers

A helmet

A tunic

A heavy cloak

A toga (correct)

To discuss business deals

To resolve disputes

To attend a social gathering

To maintain cultural links and provide financial support (correct)

The Forum (correct)

The bathhouse

The amphitheater

The Senate

Talk business and socialize Signup and view all the answers

Heavily catered with plenty of food and drink Signup and view all the answers

At his own domus Signup and view all the answers

Chaos in distant lands Signup and view all the answers

Up to ten people sharing a room in an insula Signup and view all the answers

To receive money and instructions for the day Signup and view all the answers

Because most jobs were taken by slaves Signup and view all the answers

To keep themselves occupied and clean Signup and view all the answers

They sat on hard stone or stood while buying snacks Signup and view all the answers

To buy a cup of sour wine and some snacks Signup and view all the answers

Because the living conditions were overcrowded and unsanitary Signup and view all the answers

The patron provided financial support and instructions Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

A wealthy Roman's day would begin with slaves attending to his needs, including helping him put on his toga, a heavy garment.
He would ensure his wife had everything she needed to oversee the household and his sons were off to a private tutor or school.
He would meet with his clients, providing them with money to keep them happy and willing to riot on his behalf.
A wealthy Roman would often attend the Senate or Forum to catch up on the news of the day and discuss business.
He would have concerns beyond the city's walls, such as huge farms in the provinces, which could be affected by chaos in distant lands.
He would engage in entertainment, such as visiting the bathhouse or watching events at the amphitheater, often with business discussions.
These events would be heavily catered, allowing him to eat late.
He would then attend a feast at a friend's home or host one at his own domus, prepared by expert culinary slaves.

A poor Roman would wake up in a crowded insula, often sharing a room with up to ten people.
He would have limited access to indoor plumbing and would want to leave the building quickly.
He would wear a tunic, a more comfortable but less stately garment than a toga.
He would wait in line for money and instructions from his patron.
He might try to find odd jobs for the day, unless his patron needed his services for rioting or mourning.
Many jobs were taken by slaves, making it difficult for poor Romans to find work.
A poor Roman would occupy himself by visiting the baths, although less ornate than those used by the rich, and attending events at the amphitheater, but without covered seating or catered snacks.
He would stop at a taverna, a small restaurant, for a cup of sour wine and simple food to hold off hunger until the next day's ration from his patron.