Journal Entry 2 Rome
Question 4. Because of Pompeii we know how Roman daily life was. In your opinion, and in your own
words, can you compare/contrast Roman daily life with our own? Include factors discussed in your text in
your journal.
On August 24th 79AD the city of Pompeii was covered with 15 feet of volcanic ash from the surprise
eruption of Mount Vesuvius. This was a true tragedy for the people of this Roman community, but it was a
remarkable find for the historians who were able to excavate the site in the 1800’s. The ash preserved the
artifacts in their original context, and because of this intact site we learned a lot about the daily life of the
Roman citizen.
The forum, a large open plaza on the east side of Pompeii was the central gathering place. Surrounding
the forum were the government and civic buildings, the temples, and the market places. Similar to a layout
one might find in a small town today. In the first century places of worship were for the gods: Apollo,
Jupiter, and the Egyptian god Isis. Romans’ were spiritual like most people today, although our beliefs
have changed greatly.
Another interesting gathering place for the Romans was the public bath houses. These could be
compared to a country club in today’s society. Although I think most country clubs now do require you to
be clothed in at least a swim suit. It is interesting how the Romans heated the public baths using a furnace
beneath the floor that kept the water very warm. Today builders put heating coils in the sub floor of a
bathroom and I wonder if this idea came from the Romans.
The Roman dress was a tunic worn by both sexes, which was just a short sleeve garment, like a linen
dress. The men wore togas over the tunic and the women wore a stola and if they were wealthy, a lot of
jewelry. Even back then it seems women loved adornments while men remained more neutral....
