The evidence provided by The evidence provided by sources from Pompeii and sources from Pompeii and

Herculaneum for-Herculaneum for-

Social StructureSocial Structure

FreedmenFreedmen

SlavesSlaves

Social StructureSocial Structure Social structure in Pompeii and Herculaneum was divided into three Social structure in Pompeii and Herculaneum was divided into three

broad categories:broad categories:

-Slaves-Slaves

-Those freed from slavery-Those freed from slavery

-Freeborn-Freeborn

It appears from existing documentary evidence from Campanian It appears from existing documentary evidence from Campanian towns that a large proportion of the population of Pompeii was likely towns that a large proportion of the population of Pompeii was likely to have been of servile origin, creating an obvious ethnic and to have been of servile origin, creating an obvious ethnic and genetic diversity in the relativity small total number.genetic diversity in the relativity small total number.

FreedmenFreedmen

In Pompeii, the bulk of freed men and women In Pompeii, the bulk of freed men and women were associated with crafts, trade and were associated with crafts, trade and commerce.commerce.

Slaves could be freed by their owner in then Slaves could be freed by their owner in then brief ceremony of manumission and freedmen brief ceremony of manumission and freedmen (Liberti) maintained a close connection with their (Liberti) maintained a close connection with their former owner and took their name as one of their former owner and took their name as one of their own.own.

SlavesSlaves

Slavery played a significant role in Roman Slavery played a significant role in Roman society. Slaves, through capture and society. Slaves, through capture and auction, or as the offspring of a slave auction, or as the offspring of a slave mother, belonged solely to their master. mother, belonged solely to their master.

Stone Carving of Female Slaves Stone Carving of Female Slaves dressing a Womandressing a Woman

This wall carving depicts slaves attending This wall carving depicts slaves attending to their master.to their master.

Cast of a Slave in PompeiiCast of a Slave in Pompeii

Slave girl BraceletSlave girl Bracelet

"Dominus suae ancillae" was the inscription on "Dominus suae ancillae" was the inscription on one gold bracelet in the form of a snake, which one gold bracelet in the form of a snake, which weighed a pound and had diamonds for eyes.weighed a pound and had diamonds for eyes.

Mosaic of slaves workingMosaic of slaves working

This mosaic depicts two slaves working.This mosaic depicts two slaves working.

Housing in PompeiiHousing in Pompeii

Houses found inHouses found in

Pompeii show thatPompeii show that

there was obvious there was obvious

separation of classesseparation of classes

which can be seenwhich can be seen

through the through the

Architecture.Architecture.

StatuesStatues

Satues found in Pompeii and Satues found in Pompeii and Herculaneum depict the Herculaneum depict the

different social classes.different social classes.

GraffitiGraffiti

Graffiti found on walls in Pompeii and Graffiti found on walls in Pompeii and Herculaneum give us ideas of social Herculaneum give us ideas of social classes: E.G. Politicians, Gladiators, Shop classes: E.G. Politicians, Gladiators, Shop Owners etc.Owners etc.

ShopsShops

Shops help to give an insight to the Shops help to give an insight to the occupations of different classes, for occupations of different classes, for example A Freeborn may be a Merchant example A Freeborn may be a Merchant where a Freedman may be a wealthy where a Freedman may be a wealthy business person or shop owner.business person or shop owner.

Social venues Social venues

The theatre and other social venues had The theatre and other social venues had room and allocated seating for various room and allocated seating for various different classes. For example, the higher different classes. For example, the higher your class the better your view.your class the better your view.

House of the MoralistHouse of the Moralist

The house of the Moralist belonged to a The house of the Moralist belonged to a freedman. Freedmens houses usually freedman. Freedmens houses usually consisted of 8-13 bedrooms and generally consisted of 8-13 bedrooms and generally had only one garden.had only one garden.

Shops run by FreedmenShops run by Freedmen

Along the streets of Pompeii and Along the streets of Pompeii and Herculaneum you would find many shops Herculaneum you would find many shops that were owned and run by Freedmen.that were owned and run by Freedmen.

Rivalled Pompeian EliteRivalled Pompeian Elite

Freedman houses such as the one of the Freedman houses such as the one of the Vettii Brothers- Vettii Brothers-

““Imitated the cultural language of the Imitated the cultural language of the nobility in order to establish their nobility in order to establish their membership in that society”membership in that society”

Wallace-Hadrill.Wallace-Hadrill.