Ancient History · Year 12 · Ancient Societies and Cultures · 2.º Período

Social Structure of Pompeii and Herculaneum

An exploration of the social hierarchy in the Campanian towns before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Students examine the roles of freeborn citizens, freedmen, and slaves using archaeological evidence.

TL;DR:This topic explores the social fabric of Pompeii and Herculaneum, focusing on the hierarchy that defined life in these Roman towns. Students investigate the distinct classes: the freeborn elite (ingenui), the freedmen (liberti), and the enslaved population. The study highlights the nuances of Roman social mobility, particularly how freedmen could accumulate wealth and influence despite their legal origins.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• ACHAH115
• ACHAH116

About This Topic

This topic explores the social fabric of Pompeii and Herculaneum, focusing on the hierarchy that defined life in these Roman towns. Students investigate the distinct classes: the freeborn elite (ingenui), the freedmen (liberti), and the enslaved population. The study highlights the nuances of Roman social mobility, particularly how freedmen could accumulate wealth and influence despite their legal origins.

In the Australian Curriculum, this topic emphasizes the use of archaeological evidence, such as inscriptions, frescoes, and domestic architecture, to reconstruct the lives of people often omitted from literary texts. Students also examine the role of women, from wealthy priestesses like Eumachia to the working women of the taverns. This topic is perfectly suited for active learning because the physical remains of the towns allow students to 'walk through' the social spaces, using station rotations or virtual gallery walks to interpret the evidence of status and daily interaction.

Key Questions

1. How was society structured in Pompeii and Herculaneum?
2. What evidence reveals the status of women in these towns?
3. How did freedmen achieve social mobility?

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Slaves in Pompeii had no hope of improving their lives.

What to Teach Instead

Manumission was common, and many freedmen became very wealthy and influential, such as the Vettii brothers. Using case studies of successful freedmen in collaborative investigations helps students understand the fluidity of the Roman social ladder.

Common Misconception

Women were confined to the home and had no public role.

What to Teach Instead

Evidence shows women were involved in business, religion, and even political campaigning. A gallery walk of female-related inscriptions and frescoes surfaces the active public presence of women in these towns.

Active Learning Ideas

Stations Rotation

Evidence of Status

Set up stations with evidence from different houses: The House of the Vettii (freedmen), The House of the Faun (elite), and a small shop with living quarters. Students identify specific artifacts or architectural features that indicate the owner's social standing.

50 min·Small Groups

Role Play

The Election Campaign

Students take on roles as candidates for local office (duoviri) and their supporters, including freedmen and women who cannot vote but can influence. They create 'programmata' (election slogans) based on real graffiti found in Pompeii to campaign for their candidate.

45 min·Small Groups

Think-Pair-Share

The Role of Eumachia

Students analyze the statue and building of Eumachia. They discuss in pairs what her prominence suggests about the potential power of wealthy women in Pompeian society, despite their lack of formal political rights.

20 min·Pairs

Frequently Asked Questions

How did freedmen gain status in Pompeii?

While freedmen could not hold the highest political offices, they could gain status through wealth and religious roles. Many became 'Augustales,' priests of the imperial cult, which allowed them to display their loyalty and wealth. Their children, born free, could then enter the highest levels of local government, completing the family's social ascent.

What does the House of the Vettii tell us about social mobility?

The House of the Vettii is one of the most famous in Pompeii and was owned by two freedmen who became wealthy merchants. The lavish decorations and lack of a traditional office space (tablinum) suggest they didn't need to host traditional clients, showing that wealth could bypass some traditional social requirements for status and display.

What was the role of the 'familia' in Roman society?

The Roman 'familia' was broader than the modern nuclear family, including the head of the household (paterfamilias), his wife, children, and all enslaved people and freedmen under his legal control. It was the basic unit of society and economy, with the paterfamilias holding significant legal power over all members.

How can active learning help students understand Pompeian society?

Active learning allows students to engage with the 'messiness' of archaeological evidence. By participating in a mock election based on real graffiti, students move beyond a list of social classes and begin to see how different groups, like freedmen and women, actually interacted and influenced local power. This makes the social hierarchy feel like a lived experience rather than a static chart.