Lucius - the life of a boy in Republican Rome

[Eevee]

My son went to Rome a few months ago, and the pictures he showed afterwards started triggering some memories for me, especially the differents views of the Forum Romanum and the Palatine hill. I got flashes of those buildings when they were still complete and colourful. Since then I did a few meditations on it and this is what I could piece together thus far. I will try to post in what I think is the correct chronology, more or less.

It’s hot. I can’t sleep. I can hardly breathe because of the lack of oxygen and the stench in our flat. I wish I could go sleep on the roof of the building, but I know it will be already crowded there. We live in a two room flat on the fourth floor of a six floor building. There are four flats on each floor. The floors above the second don’t have latrines, because the draining pipe system is not installed higher.
I feel the fleas bite, which keeps me out of my sleep also.

I am a boy, age 11 or 12. It’s summer time in Rome. I am wearing a dirty loin cloth only, and sandals. I have sandals because my father is a shoemaker. I am glad I have sandals, so I will at least not slip so easily in the dirty mud and excrements in the narrow streets. There is a lot of shade in those streets because on both sides the flats are built high and the sun doesn’t reach the bottom of those narrow alleys. But there is also not much fresh air.
I hurry as fast as I can to an open space on the outside of the city, beyond the slums. My mother told me to scrub myself with sand, to get rid of the insects. She already washed my hair with urine this morning to kill the lice. Oh, how I would love to go to the inner city, and wash myself with cool clean water from a fountain there. But I don’t dare going, I am afraid I might run into some of those rich kids, who might throw stones at me and mock me and drive me out of their fancy neighbourhood

 

[Eevee]

There is more :

My father is teaching me how to count. I have to write the signs in the dirt in his workshop. His workshop is at the ground floor of the apartment building. There is also a potter. I like to watch how he makes drawings in the wet clay, but I don’t have that opportunity very often.


I am writing with a sharpened wooden stick. The counting is not easy ‘You have to learn it, Lucius’, father says, ‘so that you can help calculate how much money we earn.’

I am with my mother and my sister in our flat. Mother has a small leather purse, that contains a few coins. Most of them are very tiny, very thin and silver. Some are larger, and I think it is funny that the small coins are more valuable than the larger ones. When she is busy with the coins, she wants me and my sister to be very still, she does not often let us touch the coins. It is not for playing with, she says, and we must be very careful not to drop some so that they could get lost. She shows us how many coins are needed to buy different kinds of goods. Especially my sister needs to learn this, because she often accompanies mamma to the market.

I am helping my father in his workshop. With a small wooden tool I tear out the old leather threads that were used to stitch the shoes and sandals that my father needs to repair. He does not let me use the metal tool for it, so that I certainly won’t damage the leather parts of the shoes that are still good.
There is a customer. A slave of an aristocratic family comes to collect his masters’ shoes. When it comes to paying, he tries to negociate with my father, but in a denigrating way. I see my fathers’ cheek are tensed, but he stays polite and tells the slave the price is not negotiable. He calls me to come closer and watch when the slave is counting the coins when he puts them in my fathers’ hand.


I am not concentrating on the counting, I am still angry at the slave’s behaviour. I put my hand around the tiny golden medallion with the image of Jupiter that I wear around my neck.


When the slave is gone, I can’t hold my anger anymore, how dare he talk to my father like that. Although he is dressed in nice clean clothes and has perfumed himself, he still is a slave and my father is a civilian, a free man !

 

[Eevee]

The next two fragments might be interesting, if they could be verified. (I need to do some research on it soon )

I am walking with my sister, we are going to the crossroad. When we reach it, there are already a lot of people, and we stand in line with them. There are also some boys of our neighbourhood, and I am babbling and joking with them, at the same time holding my sisters’ hand tightly, so she will not get lost.
There are some carts loaded with grain, it is the weekly free distribution for the poor. When it is our turn, I need to show the distributor the clay tablet for our family, and he fills our jars. My sister and I each carry a jar and head back home, accompanied by the boys I was talking to earlier

I am going to the city with my father. I don’t like to go, but my father says, as a Roman civilian, I need to have at least watched once the crucifixion of the dogs (?).
When we approach the centre of Rome, there is already a large crowd gathered, and I can hear the howling of the dogs. People are shouting and scolding at the animals. I am stricken with horror, but also fascinated by the sight. There are at least 7 or 10 large dogs , but a few seem dead already. People throw stones at them.


I am relieved when my father says we are leaving, because he has some other errands to do.

 

[Eevee]

And then Lucius (pronounced Lukius) life seems to take a better turn :

There is some consternation at our house. We have a visitor. A man came with a donkey and a cart. He is in discussion with my parents and I see he gives my father a small bag. My father opens it and when he pours out the content in his hand, I can see it is money, copper and silver coins. Then father leaves with the man.
Mother tells Aurelia and me to sit down and listen. ‘We are leaving’, she says. ‘ Uncle Marcus died and now Aunt Servilia needs us to take care of her and her children and the farm.’


The man that came to our house, was one of Uncle Marcus’ slaves. He brought some money to buy goods that we should take with us, and food for on the road.


Mother went on to tell us that Uncle Marcus once was a soldier, and after the war he got a piece of land as a reward. I am excited, I didn’t know that Uncle Marcus was a soldier, I don’t remember ever meeting him. Mother explains that his son Gaius is still too young to be the master of the farm, and that is why it is fathers’ duty now until Gaius comes of age. Mother smiles and says to Aurelia : ‘You also have a cousin there that is just a little younger than you, her name is Cornelia’; Now Aurelia is also excited, and she starts dancing. But mother reprimands her, and says ladies don’t dance !


But she is not really angry at Aurelia, I can see she is happy, and looking forward to a better life on the countryside. ‘And it will be so good to see my sister Servilia again after such a long time’ she sighs with a smile.

Eevee

 

[alaskanlaughter]

Wow Eevee those are really vivid memories. :thumbsup: I'd like to know if you ever verify some of those parts. I'm interested in Lucius now and want to find out how his life went after they all moved to the farm.

 

[ChrisR]

Thanks for sharing those fascinating memories Eevee, I couldn't resist doing a little bit of Googling after reading your experience, and I found this:

A dog was ritually crucified annually near the temple of Iuventus near Rome, because the watchdogs had failed to give an alarm to warn of the ascent of the Capitoline by the attacking Gauls in 380 BC
Ancient Rome In So Many Words

It may not be related to your memories, but I thought it was interesting enough to point out.


Chris

 

[Ailish]

Fantastic memories, Eevee!!! I'm captivated reading about Lucius's life - and like alaskanlaughter, would love to hear more!

 

[Sunniva]

Wow thank you for sharing! Your memories are very intriguing.


Have you read the book series by Colleen McCullough, which takes place in Rome? If not, you may find it very interesting. She has done a lot of research, the book is full of details (too much some would say, not so much action ), maps of ancient Rome are included too.


It's been some time since I read it (that is halfway through the first book : angel), but reading your recollections certainly rang a bell with descriptions I've read in the book. Like the apartments where Lucius lived and the stuff going on in the city.

 

[Eevee]

Thank you all for your comments.


Chris, it really is great that you found this information ! I never heard of dogs being crucified, and I found it unbelievable at first, but still I didn't want to leave out that fragment.


Sunniva, no, I haven't read Colleen McCullough's books. I have seen them at the local library, but their size always witheld me from taking them home Maybe I should...


but on the other hand, I think I rather do some more meditations on Lucius life, before I start reading details about life in Rome.


I have some more fragments of that life, but I didn't type out my notes properly yet. I can tell that I 'know' - the date popped up in my head during meditation - that it was around 105 BC, that is why I know it was Rome during the Republic, before the Emperors.


Eevee


PS. I couldn't resist and just looked up 'Roman amulet'.

Children wore a special locket around their neck, given to them at birth, called a bulla. It contained an amulet as a protection against evil and was worn on a chain, cord, or strap. Girls wore their bulla until the eve of their wedding day, when their bulla was set aside with other childhood things, like her toys. Boys wore their bulla until they day they became a citizen. Boys bullas were put aside and carefully saved. A boy's bulla could be wore by the owner again, if he won special honors. For example, if he became a successful general, and won the honor of triumph, he would wear his bulla in ceremonial parades, to protect him from the evil jealously of men or gods.

http://www.crystalinks.com/romeclothing.html
And from Wikipedia :

Bulla, an amulet and worn like a locket, was given to children, at the time of birth, in Ancient Rome. A bulla was worn around the neck as a locket to protect against evil spirits and forces. A bulla was made of differing substances depending upon the wealth of the family. A common substance was leather, but the richer families would have bulla of gold or silver, and poorer families' would be made of cotton.
A girl child continued to wear her bulla until the eve of her marriage, when it was removed and kept along with her childhood toys and other things. A boy used to wear a bulla until he became a Roman citizen at the age of 16. His bulla was carefully saved, and on some special occasions, like his becoming a general and commanding a parade, the bulla was taken out. He would wear the bulla during the ceremony to safeguard against evil forces like jealousy of men.

I know it was very important to Lucius that he was a civilian/citizen. I think in all his poverty, that was one of the few things that he could be proud of.

 

[Jody]

Wow, those are some pretty amazing memories, esp. the part about crucifying dogs -- that seems way too bizarre for someone to just make up -- good detective work, Chris!

 

[W.A. HEART]

Wow Eevee thanks for sharing that! Your memories are SO vivid - and I'm glad you didnt leave out the dog crucifixion detail! Chris' dectective work sure came in handy!!:thumbsup: I had never heard of such a thing before, and I think it's a really cool validation!


I too would love to know more of Lucius life! Please share any updates, will you? Thanks!!


On a side note, I was just thinking that the "weird and unlikely" details are the ones that lead us to validations. I think it would pretty difficult for someone to imagine a dog crucifixion....

 

[Eevee]

The most emotional feeling I had in Lucius life as described thus far, was the pride I felt being a Civilian, even though a poor one. It meant a lot. It deserved respect. I have a feeling this was taught Lucius from when he was very young.


It was also an odd feeling that I couldn't read. As this excerpt shows :

I am strolling the streets with my friends. It is early in the morning. We are heading towards the public space where we can do some physical training. We want to practice our running skills. I am eager to see if I can beat my friend this time.
On our way, I see that during the night someone has been painting graffiti here and there. My friend, who can read a little, says that is because election day is nearing. I know that, because my father has been meeting his friends also a lot lately. They talk politics, but I think that is boring. My father said I will change my mind about that soon enough, when I am grown up, and politics will affect me also.


I feel very sorry that I can’t read, but there is no one who can teach me that. I already have difficulties enough learning how to count money and the value of the different coins.

The big day has come, we are leaving Rome. The donkey is packed with bags with all kinds of goods, and the cart is also filled with our belongings. Especially my father’s tools and the leather hides he still had in stock. Mother also insisted on taking the kitchen tools with us, although the slave said there is plenty in my aunt’s house. But mother wants to use her own.
As our little procession is walking down the streets, some kids have seen us and start following us, shouting : ‘Aulus the shoemaker is leaving, the shoemaker is leaving’.


Some people come out of their houses, or shout out of their windows, to wish us luck. We say goodbye to them all. Aurelia is blushing of excitement. She sits like an aristocratic lady in the cart, between the hides. I have to laugh.


When we come to the Eastern gate of the city, we halt and face the city for the last time.


We all lift our heads and hands while Father prays : ‘ Father Jupiter, bless the city of Rome. Goddess of Fortune, be with us on our journey and in our new life !.


Then we turn again and pass through the gate, while Father summons us not to look back, because that might bring misfortune. But I don’t feel the need to look back, I am much too excited about what awaits us.

 

[Eevee]

Here is another snippet that you might like :

I am going to meet my friends at the entrance of the park. I have a surprise for them. Our neighbour, the potter, gave me an old amphora, of which the bottom is broken off, but it is a nice one, with only a small hole at the neck. Just suited for my purpose !
When I near the park, the boys already run towards me, curious about what I have with me. Yeah, now we can hold a contest ! We put the amphora on the ground, and I measure one large step away from it, where I draw a line. Meanwhile, my friends have been searching pebbles, a different color for everyone. White, black, pink, gray and multicoloured. I choose the white ones. Then we all stand behind the line, and try to throw the pebbles through the small opening in the amphora, five pebbles each. The one who has the least, needs to stop. Then we draw a line one step further away, and try again. And so on, till only two boys remain for the last round.


When we are playing, more boys are gathering around us, and encouraging us, eager to wait for the next game so they can join us. We are all having so much fun, it feels good to be in a competition !

Eevee

 

[Karoliina]

Like others, I also want to thank you, Eevee, for sharing these vivid memories. :thumbsup:


I'm in the process of finding out more about my Roman PL's (which are 2 or 3, I believe), so it's very interesting to read about yours.


Karoliina

 

[Lights]

Ave, Fellow Roman!


Evee, this is fascinating, I hope to hear more of Lucius's adventures once they get to the farm. I visited Rome as Marcus with my wife and young son and I remember the smells of the market place and taking in the Coliseum. However, it was not the Coliseum finished after our deaths( the ruins you see today)--this was a smaller arena, though it was packed with people.It was quite gross and the cruelty was awful. I did not take my wife and child as I knew my wife did not like the games.


Anyhow hope you will tell us more about Lucius.

 

[deborah]

Thank you so much for sharing this Eevee. I enjoyed reading about it! I particularly liked the last story of the stone game. Such a simple one and yet - those types of games were played a lot by children - for centuries..


The crucifixion of dogs....how cruel! Fascinating considering your memory but awful the fact that this was once done; such animal cruelty.


Nicely presented BTW.

 

[Eevee]

Here is some more. I place these memories not long after the arrival on the farm/villa.

I am dwelling through my aunt’s house, which is also our house now. It is not only a farm, but also a villa, it even has an inner court with a garden. There are so many rooms, I still get lost sometimes. There are beautiful paintings on the walls, and mosaics on the floors. It is also cool inside, and I never slept better ! I feel very relaxed here.

I hear voices in a room close by. I go closer till I can understand what they are saying. My father is having a discussion with aunt Servilia. There are just too many slaves, he says, and even though buying a slave is cheap, feeding and clothing them is expensive. But my aunt replies that they are all useful, and they all have their tasks, which they gladly take care of, because they like living here. She is pleading not to sell any of the slaves, if he really wants to get rid of some, give them at least the chance to buy themselves free. And she also asks father to give it some time, when we live a little longer here, he will see more clearly how they are running this household and the farm. They come to an agreement.

I am learning how to write. Several of the houseslaves are very learned, and one is teaching me and my sister. We have some tablets, that are covered with wax. After the lesson, we need to scrape the wax from the tablets, and a slave will put new wax on them, to use them again the following day. Aurelia loves to play with the old wax, she makes litte figurines of it, and I think she is real good at it.
We also learn reading. We both like that part of the lessons, because it is small stories that we are reading, and they are interesting and often funny or exciting. Gaius says that soon we will not like the reading so much anymore, when we are coming to the longer stories that are much duller, but I don’t believe him.

Father ordered a tombstone for uncle Marcus. We went to see it when it was already carved, and now the sculptures on it and the letters are being painted with bright colours. It looks beautiful, aunt Servilia will be pleased, because uncle Marcus will verily be shown honour with such a beautiful stone.

Eevee

 

[Ailish]

Father ordered a tombstone for uncle Marcus. We went to see it when it was already carved, and now the sculptures on it and the letters are being painted with bright colours.

I love the details that you get, Eevee! Such clarity! Thanks for sharing some more memories!

Aurelia loves to play with the old wax, she makes litte figurines of it, and I think she is real good at it.

That made me smile for some reason. Such a simple little thing - yet so sweet that you remember this about your sister. It sounds like you had a great relationship with Aurelia

 

[Eevee]

Thank you all for the nice comments. I had some memories of this life over a year ago, but couldn't really place them. Some flashes that could have taken place anywhere, anytime. It was after my son's trip to Italy and seeing some pictures, that triggered the memories come flooding. The sight of the Palatine hill, and the narrow streets in the city, and the Tiber. First I had some 'knowing' of how it was long ago, and then I did a few meditations, which brought me easily to Lucius' life. In fact, I was astonished myself that it all came so naturally, and that I just knew how it all fitted together.


Often there were overwhelming feelings, like the heat and the stench, which made me feel very uncomfortable, but also the pride of being a civilian, that was a very strong feeling.


Not being able to read also felt strange, as well as being able to run very fast. Or the boyish love of sport and competition.


Indeed,Aili, I got a very strong sense of a family that loved each other dearly, even the extended family. It felt only natural that father immediatly went to help his sister in law (although in retrospect we gained much more than she did I think). And once we were living at the farm, I know arrangements were made for us, so that after Gaius would become master of the estate, our family would not be left out. (Lucius was trained to become a soldier, like his uncle, so that with some luck, when he survived a battle he engaged in, he would also be rewarded with land for his own family )


After the flashes and meditations, I wrote everything down in brief notes, but as I mentioned long ago, I often am capable to 'freeze frame' when re-remembering a scene, and then I can watch much more details. I am not doing any research yet, before I typed out all of my notes properly, but there are a lot of details I would like to research.


For example, were the small coins really worth more than the large ones? Was grain distributed for free, and how did that go? Were political slogans painted on stones and buildings? Was there a punishment for doing so (because it was done during the night) ? Were slaves cheap? etc etc...


I am pretty sure that indeed it often happened that veteran soldiers got a piece of land as a reward when they left the army, or at least enough money to buy a piece of land. It depended on who was reigning I think


Eevee

 

[Eevee]

Deborah, I agree that the dog crucifixion was cruel, however it didn't really feel like that at the time. I didn't like watching it, but the fact that it happened only seemed....well, natural, a custom, just like bringing offerings to the gods. I remember some of these, in our house shrines, but I didn't get feelings of disgust then. It is only later, when analyzing (with my modern day mind) what I experienced, that the realization of the cruelty came. It made me also realize that people in that civilization didn't think like we do today.


Eevee