Life as a women of Pompeii
The evidence on the lives of Women in Pompeii and Herculaneum are found in frescoes, paintings, mosaics and other various artefacts that depict women from all levels of society that worked and lived in Pompeii. Majority of women were illiterate yet the minority of the upper class were taught to read and write either by a slave tutor in the household or at a private school. To be educated was a mark of status and respect for example in the famous painting depicting husband and wife (known as ‘the baker Terentius Neo and his wife’, or as ‘Paquius Proculus and his wife’) the woman holds a stylus and writing tablet. This is also significant as it shows the couple as being equals. This shows the significance of the eruption of Vesuvius in its preservation of Pompeii as it has a unique perspective on the role of women. This painting suggests that the universal view of woman being dominated by males is common but that women had opportunities to be equals to men and achieve. Views differences on the education of women as many saw that having educated wives resulted in higher quality and others argued that women should be practicing embroidery and nursing instead of reading and writing. In Pompeii and Herculaneum had few rights, as all women were in Roman society at the time, as they were considered the property of a dominant male. But it seems that women in Pompeii had more flexible freedom.
Women were expected to work indoors. Evidence can be seen throughout the many artefacts where women have a different skin tone to the men where
women have lighter skin. Scientific evidence from the teeth and bones of women show that they were “fat and Hairy” as archaeologist Estelle Lazer famously
stated. Analysis of the bones and teeth show a high concentration of Hyperostosis Frontalis Interna, a clear sign of early menopause caused by weight
gain and hiritism.
Women had opportunities’ to work alongside their husbands and in some cases as successors. Women often went into partnership with their husbands and had the ability to earn profits from the business. A painting in the shop of M. Vecilius Verecundus, manufacturer of cloth and felt, shows his wife sitting at the counter while a young man chooses a pair of slippers from the shelves. Women could also own property and were free to administer it
themselves as inscribed tablets found at neighbouring Herculaneum show that women were engaged in buying, selling, and leasing.
It was common for women to own taverns, bars and inns that also worked as a brothel. For example Julia Felix, a rich landowner who converted parts of her private villa for housing, public baths, and a tavern. Evidence of women involved in the medical profession is substantial as many worked as midwifes. physicians’ and even doctors.
Those who did not work and were not wealthy enough to support themselves were often forced into the sex industry or born into a life of slavery. Prostitution was not a criminal offence and was seen as a normal part of the sex life of Roman me. Legally prostitution was treated as a business like any other where prostitutes were required to register with the aediles. There were different types of prostitute in Roman society where women had the choice of entering into prostitution and in the case of slaves, had no choice into the matter at all. Attractive, educated ‘high-class’ courtesans were well-kept by their
lovers and were able to afford their own luxurious homes. They were pursued by men because of their skills in ‘the art of love’ and were able to choose their lovers. Foreign prostitutes came in a variety of ethnic groups and were popular because they were considered exotic and not subject to the same social constraints as Roman women.
women have lighter skin. Scientific evidence from the teeth and bones of women show that they were “fat and Hairy” as archaeologist Estelle Lazer famously
stated. Analysis of the bones and teeth show a high concentration of Hyperostosis Frontalis Interna, a clear sign of early menopause caused by weight
gain and hiritism.
Women had opportunities’ to work alongside their husbands and in some cases as successors. Women often went into partnership with their husbands and had the ability to earn profits from the business. A painting in the shop of M. Vecilius Verecundus, manufacturer of cloth and felt, shows his wife sitting at the counter while a young man chooses a pair of slippers from the shelves. Women could also own property and were free to administer it
themselves as inscribed tablets found at neighbouring Herculaneum show that women were engaged in buying, selling, and leasing.
It was common for women to own taverns, bars and inns that also worked as a brothel. For example Julia Felix, a rich landowner who converted parts of her private villa for housing, public baths, and a tavern. Evidence of women involved in the medical profession is substantial as many worked as midwifes. physicians’ and even doctors.
Those who did not work and were not wealthy enough to support themselves were often forced into the sex industry or born into a life of slavery. Prostitution was not a criminal offence and was seen as a normal part of the sex life of Roman me. Legally prostitution was treated as a business like any other where prostitutes were required to register with the aediles. There were different types of prostitute in Roman society where women had the choice of entering into prostitution and in the case of slaves, had no choice into the matter at all. Attractive, educated ‘high-class’ courtesans were well-kept by their
lovers and were able to afford their own luxurious homes. They were pursued by men because of their skills in ‘the art of love’ and were able to choose their lovers. Foreign prostitutes came in a variety of ethnic groups and were popular because they were considered exotic and not subject to the same social constraints as Roman women.