Schoolcraft College

A day in life of Aemilia in Ancient Rome

Bonnie Hamilton
Ancient World History 134
Professor Kimberly Lark
August 1, 2016

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My name is Aemilia and I am a 25 year old woman of Rome. My husband Marcus is an
aristocrat, and conducts business within our house outside of Rome. He is usually extremely
busy at the start of each morning, when clients are funneling through the door to discuss a variety
of issues. They enter into atrium which is meant to show off our family. On my mantel, I keep
shrines of my ancestors and those that came before us. The household gods rest atop of coffee
table, which sits upon a large tapestry that was handed down from my grandmother. This is also
where I keep my spinning loom and stocks of wool.
On the average day, I stay home to spin wool in order to signify my dedication to
maintaining this home that Marcus and I built. Here in Rome, I am known as a good wife. In
our ideology, the household plays one of the most important roles of society, therefore, my tasks
are extremely important. In order to keep an aristocrat and his clients happy, the meeting place in
which they do businessour homehas to be in the best shape it can be. Additionally, I educate
my children in our home. There is a room down the hall and to your right that serves as the
classroom for my 3 children. I do not teach them arithmetic however I do instruct them on
literary works as well as morals. These lessons are usually derived from traditional Roman
religious texts.
Furthermore, due to the fact that we are aristocrats, we reside further up on the
socioeconomic scale. Marcus work is very consistent with a stable income. We have house
parties often and entertain other elite members of the area. During these parties, I tend to speak
to our guests, however I am usually standing next to Marcus for the evening. He does most of the
talking; I do not chime in on political or religious conversations unless I am asked. There are
people within the city that are much more important than we are, therefore they receive the

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upmost respect from both of our guests and us. Marcus and I are extremely lucky to live the life
of luxury and grandeur that we do.