Question 1

What was the role of the paterfamilias in a Roman family?

Accepted Answer

The paterfamilias was the oldest male in the family and held legal authority (patria potestas) over his wife, children, and slaves. He could arrange marriages, control property, and even decide life and death, though in practice this power was limited by social norms. His role was central to Roman identity, as the family was the basic unit of society.

Question 2

How did Roman houses differ between rich and poor?

Accepted Answer

Rich Romans lived in domus (townhouses) or villas (country estates) with multiple rooms, an atrium, and often a peristyle garden. The poor lived in insulae (apartment blocks) that were cramped, fire-prone, and lacked running water. Insulae could be up to six stories high, with ground-floor shops and upper-floor apartments.

Question 3

What was the typical daily life of a Roman woman?

Accepted Answer

Elite Roman women managed the household, supervised slaves, and entertained guests. They could attend public events like the amphitheatre but had limited political rights. Lower-class women worked alongside their husbands in shops or farms. Women were expected to be modest and loyal (pudicitia), but some, like Agrippina the Younger, wielded significant influence.

Question 4

How were children educated in ancient Rome?

Accepted Answer

Education varied by class. Wealthy boys were taught by a private tutor (paedagogus) at home, learning reading, writing, and rhetoric. Girls were often educated at home in domestic skills. At around age 7, boys might attend a ludus (primary school) and later a grammaticus for literature. Education aimed to produce good citizens and orators.

Question 5

What was the purpose of the atrium in a Roman house?

Accepted Answer

The atrium was the central reception hall of a Roman domus, designed to impress visitors. It contained an impluvium (pool to collect rainwater) and often a family shrine. The atrium was where the paterfamilias received clients (clientes) in the morning, reinforcing social hierarchies. Its decoration, like frescoes and statues, displayed the family's wealth and status.

Question 6

How did slavery function in Roman households?

Accepted Answer

Slaves performed all domestic tasks: cooking, cleaning, childcare, and even teaching. Some were highly skilled (e.g., doctors, secretaries) and could earn money to buy freedom. Slaves had no legal rights and could be punished harshly, but many were treated as part of the family. Freedmen (former slaves) often remained loyal to their former masters.

The Roman Home and Family

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in OCR GCSE Classical Civilisation

'Improper' Women

Athens at War in the 5th century

Characterisation

Content of Myth and Religion (J199/11)