the social structure: men, women, freedmen, slaves

Question 1

background - demographic etc

Answer 1

It has been estimated that the population of Pompeii at the time of the eruption was between 10,000 to 20,000
It is estimated that around 40% were slaves
It is harder to estimate the population of Herculaneum - some have suggested 5000 based on the seating capacity of the theatre
The people of Pompeii & herculaneum were all born into a particular social class

Question 2

3 categories???

Answer 2

→ Freeborn (ingenui)
→ freedmen & Freedwomen (libertus & Liberta)
→ Slaves (servi)

Question 3

Freeborn (ingenui)

Answer 3

Those born free ranged from:
The elite (generally landowning families)
The plebs media - those who were rich, but outside the elite
The plebs humilis - the most humble freeborn

Many in the 2nd &3rd group were involved in commerce
Women in this social structure group were socially emancipated & some were extremely rich (SOURCE: Statue of Eumachia)
Men in this level of society had a strong network of social ties - these individuals consisted of friends, clints, and dependents, both freeborn & freed - whom they advised - PATRONAGE

Question 4

Freedmen & freedwomen (libertus & liberta)

Answer 4

The number of freed slaves increased in Roman society during the 1st century AD, some freedmen & freedwomen became very wealthy and influential
In Pompeii, the majority of freedmen & women were associated with crafts, trade, and commerce. Some wives of freedmen helped their husbands in business, such as bakeries, others ran their own brothels and inns - supported by sources - Asellina’s tavern

Question 5

Slaves (servi)

Answer 5

Slaves played a very significant role in Roman society
Slaves, through capture and auction, or as the offspring of a slave mother, belonged to their master
Many were employed as washers, servers, cooks, entertainers, nurses, tutors, clerks, secretaries and on agricultural estates as grape pickers
There was a social hierarchy within the slave population