Summary Of Cicero's Chapter On Roman Domestic Life

Beard begins her chapter on Roman domestic life by using Cicero as an example of what ‘ordinary’ life was like for the Romans. Cicero was not an average Roman citizen, but his numerous letters provide one of the few comprehensive looks at the private and domestic life of a Roman. In one letter, Cicero describes his hosting of Caesar and company; here, being a wealthy owner of a villa forced him to provide food and lodging for Caesar and his over 2000 soldiers and civilians. A decent showing as host was helpful to Cicero in maintaining friendly relations with Caesar despite the fact that Cicero was not reimbursed monetarily for the unexpected visit. Also through Cicero’s letters, one sees his worries about his daughter and wife which provides a glimpse into Roman marriage. For his daughter Tullia, “family advancement and good connections” (SPQR, 309) were important; in addition, the dowry could also help the new husband. Cicero himself benefited from Terentia’s dowry; it was fairly substantial and included several properties that would provide him with income. As Cicero was a senator, he was forbidden to engage in commerce and for
These were not private houses, but public as well; they “contributed to the image of its owner” (SPQR, 321). This had to be carefully done, lest decoration be too ostentatious or underwhelming. The more one came inside the home, the closer one was to the host. The house layout went from the atrium to dining areas, bedrooms, lounges, gardens, and gardens with decoration suited to each room. Most of the grand homes on the Palatine Hill in Rome were later demolished; very few survive. Property destruction was one way to exact revenge on an opponent as Clodius did to some of Cicero’s properties. Pompeii is home to one of the few Roman areas where Roman houses are almost perfectly preserved due to the sudden evacuation when Mount Vesuvius