A Roman Life in Pompeii
A Roman Life In Pompeii
It was late evening on the 23rd of August and I found myself walking down Via Dell’Abbondanza towards the Stabian baths. There was a warmness about the air that was not from the summer’s heat. I could smell the aroma of leftover bread as I passed the House of Ceii. I thank the god Jupiter for allowing my family to live next to a bakery because of how appealing it makes our street smell throughout the day. With all the decaying rubbish in the street between heavy rains it’s amazing how any aroma can overpower the general stench that looms in the air after a full day’s work. It was one of the perks of living so close to the Ceii’s. I continued walking down the high sidewalk, and crossed over to the Stabian baths using the stepping stones. When I crossed the last stone a mild tremor shook its foundation and I nearly slipped. The people of Pompeii are well accustomed to these mild shakes and rarely stop daily life because of them. I continued on. This was my second trip to the baths today to meet with some politicians and benefactors. Most of my friends and family have known for some time that I’ve had political ambitions so I pray to the gods that word spreads and more people are aware of my running for office. There are several signs throughout the city that urge specific Romans to support me and have “The favourite word, occurring time and time again, dingus – meaning ‘worthy’ or ‘suitable for office’ ” pg 192. While other signs, like the ones I have painted inside my home and on the facade, are targeted to the general public. They read “Support Caius Julius Polybius for Duumvir”. However because most citizens can’t read, my plan is to channel the signs to larger wealthier families with leverage over other voters and let word of mouth do the rest. It’s a shame that most of the city is illiterate but I thank the gods I’m well know enough to run for Duumvir in the first place. I can feel them smiling down on me now as I enter the baths
It was late evening on the 23rd of August and I found myself walking down Via Dell’Abbondanza towards the Stabian baths. There was a warmness about the air that was not from the summer’s heat. I could smell the aroma of leftover bread as I passed the House of Ceii. I thank the god Jupiter for allowing my family to live next to a bakery because of how appealing it makes our street smell throughout the day. With all the decaying rubbish in the street between heavy rains it’s amazing how any aroma can overpower the general stench that looms in the air after a full day’s work. It was one of the perks of living so close to the Ceii’s. I continued walking down the high sidewalk, and crossed over to the Stabian baths using the stepping stones. When I crossed the last stone a mild tremor shook its foundation and I nearly slipped. The people of Pompeii are well accustomed to these mild shakes and rarely stop daily life because of them. I continued on. This was my second trip to the baths today to meet with some politicians and benefactors. Most of my friends and family have known for some time that I’ve had political ambitions so I pray to the gods that word spreads and more people are aware of my running for office. There are several signs throughout the city that urge specific Romans to support me and have “The favourite word, occurring time and time again, dingus – meaning ‘worthy’ or ‘suitable for office’ ” pg 192. While other signs, like the ones I have painted inside my home and on the facade, are targeted to the general public. They read “Support Caius Julius Polybius for Duumvir”. However because most citizens can’t read, my plan is to channel the signs to larger wealthier families with leverage over other voters and let word of mouth do the rest. It’s a shame that most of the city is illiterate but I thank the gods I’m well know enough to run for Duumvir in the first place. I can feel them smiling down on me now as I enter the baths