Roman Daily Life
Articles tagged Roman Daily Life.
Did Romans Really Give Gladiators a Thumbs Down?
Roman writers describe a turned or hostile thumb in gladiatorial games, but never specify its direction. What did the signal mean, and how did...
Colosseum Water Battles: Did Romans Really Flood the Arena?
Roman writers describe naval battles in the Colosseum, but the engineering is disputed. What do the ancient accounts and archaeology establish?
Roman Gladiators: How They Lived and Trained
Roman gladiators trained with wooden weapons, ate grain-heavy diets, and lived under strict control. Archaeology reveals how their schools worked.
What Did Ancient Travellers Pack for a Long Journey?
Ancient travellers carried cloaks, food, water containers and money, but their baggage depended on the route. Ancient texts and finds reveal what we can...
Roman Mile Markers: What They Measured and What They Said
Roman milestones measured distances along roads and displayed imperial authority. Read their inscriptions, dates and evidence from Britain, Italy and the provinces.
The Annona and Grain Dole: How Rome Kept Its People Fed
How did ancient Rome feed its population? Follow the annona and grain dole from African and Egyptian wheat to Portus, warehouses, distribution and bread.
Apuleius’s The Golden Ass: A Donkey in the Roman World
Apuleius’s The Golden Ass follows a man turned donkey through magic, exploitation and Roman provincial life before Isis offers deliverance.
Ancient Graffiti: Pompeii’s Jokes, Insults and Daily Life
Ancient graffiti in Pompeii, Rome and Egypt preserve love notes, insults, election slogans and drawings that reveal how people used public walls.
Erotic Art in Pompeii: Sex, Protection and Power
From Priapus at the House of the Vettii to brothel frescoes and phallic charms, Pompeii’s erotic art reveals Roman beliefs about protection, wealth and...
