Visual/Material Sources (Roman City Life)

Inscriptions

Inscriptions offer valuable insights into the lives of Romans, their occupations, their social rank, and the groups to which they belonged.
They often appeared on public monuments, gravestones, milestones, and public buildings, and can thus reveal much about Roman urban life and the priorities of the city’s inhabitants.
Studying inscriptions also gives insight into the Roman language and literacy rates, providing a snapshot of how widespread the written word was within urban Roman society.

Pottery is a rich source of information about Roman city life. Everyday objects, such as cups, bowls, and plates, often depicted scenes from Roman life or mythology.
The type of ceramics used – from coarse kitchen pots to finely crafted terra sigillata ware – can reveal information about trade, manufacturing, and the economic status of its users.
Statues and busts of historical figures, gods, goddesses, and even ordinary citizens served both decorative and symbolic purposes, indicating a variety of Roman beliefs, values, and social structures.

Frescoes are paintings made on wet plaster walls. Romans decorated the interiors of their homes with these, and the subjects ranged from idealised landscapes to scenes from mythology or everyday life.
Along with offering a vista into the artistic style of the era, frescoes provide insight into the social and cultural life of Romans.
Mosaics, made from small pieces of coloured glass or stone, were used to create complex decorative patterns or intricate scenes in homes, public buildings, and bathhouses.
They function as a showcase of wealth, offering a glimpse into the lifestyle of the wealthy during the Roman Era.

Roman buildings and structures like colosseums, theatres, basilicas, aqueducts, roads, and baths impart crucial understanding on Roman engineering skills and also the types of activities that were valued in Roman society.
The design, layout, and construction materials used in Roman houses, called domus, provide information about family life, societal roles, and the disparity of wealth in Roman cities.
Temples and other religious buildings reflect the religious practices and beliefs of the Romans, as well as the gods they worshipped.