Roman housing reflected social hierarchies, from patrician to plebeian . Living conditions varied widely, with the wealthy enjoying spacious homes and the poor crowding into apartments. Public works like aqueducts improved urban life for all.
Family structure centered on the , who held authority over the household. Extended families and slaves were common. Religion permeated daily life through state rituals and household worship. The economy relied on , crafts, and trade.
Housing and Social Structure
Living conditions across social classes
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Patrician housing featured domus, large single-family homes with atrium central courtyards channeled rainwater to impluvium basins and included tablinum offices for receiving clients
Plebeian housing consisted of insulae multi-story apartment buildings with upper-floor cenacula and ground-floor tabernae shops
Rural housing ranged from villa rustica farmhouses for wealthy landowners to simple tuguria huts for peasants and slaves
Building materials varied from wattle and daub for poorer dwellings to stone and concrete for wealthier homes
Sanitation and water supply improved through public latrines, bathhouses, and aqueducts for water distribution
Roman family structure and roles
Paterfamilias male head of household wielded legal authority over family members and controlled property and finances
wife managed household affairs and supervised children's education
Sons were groomed as future heirs and citizens while daughters forged potential alliances through marriage
Extended family included grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins living together or nearby
Slaves and freedmen formed integral part of household structure performing various domestic duties
system established patron-client relationships for social and economic support
Marriage customs emphasized arranged unions for political and economic alliances
Naming conventions utilized system for male citizens (praenomen, nomen, cognomen)
Religion and Economy
Religious practices in daily life
State religion overseen by pontifices college of priests and guarding sacred flame
Household worship centered on guardian deities and gods of the pantry
Agricultural festivals like winter solstice celebration and fertility festival marked seasonal changes
Divination practices included interpreting bird signs and examining animal entrails
Temple worship involved votive offerings and animal sacrifices to appease gods
Religious calendar distinguished for legal and public business from prohibited for certain activities
Founding myths of and Trojan origins shaped Roman identity
Economic activities and occupations
Agriculture focused on grain cultivation and olive and grape production for staple foods and trade
involved sheep and cattle raising for wool, meat, and dairy products
flourished in pottery making and metalworking creating everyday items and luxury goods
Trade and commerce centered in the marketplace and expanded to long-distance trade with and
operations extracted valuable resources like salt, copper, and iron
included road building and aqueduct and temple construction employing many workers
provided career opportunities for citizen-soldiers in the legion
supported domestic service and agricultural labor throughout Roman society
Professional occupations emerged for , record-keepers, , and tutors
Political careers followed the sequence of public offices for ambitious citizens