Studying the non-elite of Ancient Rome

[guy]

It is refreshing to see that the focus of some of the modern research on Ancient Rome has delved into the lives of non-elite Romans, including small farmers, slaves, and peasants. University of Pennsylvania Professor Kimberly Bowes has dedicated much of her research investigating the lives of the rural and non-elite in the Empire.
 

Her new book does look interesting:

Quote

 Her new book, tentatively titled “Getting by Under the Roman Empire: An Economic History of the 90%,” will look at the opportunities and stresses experienced by working people through research studies at the household level.

 

Her research has uncovered some interesting insights:
 

Quote

We found peasants eating a good amount of meat, the same kind rich people eat, namely lots of pork, along with beef and lamb. So, animals were important for agriculture, and they were an important part of peasant diet.

 

I would caution her against being too doctrinaire in her approach, however:

 

Quote

“Integrating the working majority into our histories of the ancient world decenters what has been an elite, male-centered vision of that world, with implications for what this means for us today."

 

This is the kind of politically correct gibberish that detracts from potentially useful research and insights. I am willing to wager that we know far more about the lives of Julius Caesar’s wives and lovers than we do about the lives of any of the millions of men, women, and children from Gaul killed or enslaved by Caesar.

Nevertheless, we can hope to learn more about the non-elite (the vast majority of individuals) in Ancient Rome.

 

https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/regular-folks-roman-empire-kimberly-bowes-archaeology-economics

Edited June 3, 2022 by guy

[Novosedoff]

I recall reading something about the non-elite class of ancient Rome from English sources. Here it is attached (sorry for bad quality)

 

[caldrail]

There are ways to interpolate aspects of the lives of Rome's common folk, their graffiti and funerary inscriptions. Based on what I've read, the Roman were often lively townsfolk with very childish attitudes according to modern standards. Sex in particular is a demonstration of male virility, petty revenge like drunken louts on holiday. We read of drama, tragedy, or happy lives on tomb inscriptions. Deep feelings for loved ones, friends, partners, or pets. We can see the warning signs painted on the walls of a tavern in Pompeii and realise that this unwanted behaviour is typical. A report of crowd violence between the townsfolk of Nuceria and Pompeii. The importance of solitary but useful possessions.