Ca. A.D. 50-100 but perhaps later
Katie Milton, Carrie Boyles, Michele Monson
The young girl displayed in this picture is believed to be 6-7 years of age because of the round face, pudgy cheeks, and dimples. The raised braid, and hair parted down the middle of the head, leads us to believe that she is an aristocratic, freeborn child. Elaborate hairstlyles on women and children were often a sign of wealth. Complex hairstyles meant many hands were needed; hence, many slaves were needed. Only wealthy families could afford enough slaves to have ladies' maids. Hairstyles like this young girl wears were often characteristics of Roman women and children so this young girl is most likely Roman.
This young girl would have grown up very quickly. Young girls were expected, even as children, to behave in a desireable adult manner. She would have mature judgement, dignity, and modesty. Scholars have found artifacts resembling dolls and other young children's toys that lead us to believe that children like this young girl may have played with toys even though they were expected to act like adults. Pottery has also been discovered that show young kids playing with toys, so we assume that despite her busy life of learning adult ways, she found time to be a kid. The young girl in this picture would be serious, industrious, obedient, and cheerful. She would have the utmost respect for her father before she married, and then her husband after she was married.
Although the girl's family is wealthy, her future is bleak by today's standards. She will be married by age thirteen, provided she lives that long. The marraige will signify her passage as a woman, and be the most important moment of her life, next to her death. She will be trained mainly in childrearing and housewifery though it is believed that young girls in Rome were able to attend the instruction of their brothers. Sometimes young girls could read Homer, Latin poetry, and do some elementary excercises in Latin compostition. Their formal education never went further than that since they were usually married by the time their brothers went on to finish their education. This young girl will learn to be a matron and a good wife to her husband. She will be treated well as long as she can bear healthy, strapping children (preferably boys) for her new family.
This girl would not be expected to live long. A woman's life included marraige at a young age, raising a family, and dying before the age of forty. If she lived, she may become a grandmother before she is forty, as well as a widow because her husband would be much older than her. It is possible that he might have been twice her age when they were married.
Being in the upper-class, this girl would have most likely been raised by a nurse. Because of this she would be closer to the nurse than to her natal parents. However, this does not mean that she lacked respect for her parents, or that she never saw them. Parents were highly regarded and always obeyed. Strict dicipline would be demanded in order to prepare them for the realities of adult life. As well as disipline, she would be loved and cherished by her parents, if she survived the harshness of early childhood. This young girl and her brother, if she had one, would be close until he went away for his formal education. He would show concern for her and in return, she would care for him diligently. Roman's, especially in Augustus' time placed a great deal of importance on family. Augustus encouraged and reinforced the ideas most important to the dynasty which were mostly family centered. An example of Augustus' importance on family is represented by the Altar of Peace. It is speculated as to why a bust was created to honor this young woman. One theory is that busts were made for her and her whole family just like a family portrait to show friends and other family members. Another theory is that she may have been part of an important line of successors. For example, is she were Augustus' daughter and she had a son, it would be expected that her son would be Augustus' successor. It is also possible that she died at a young age and her family commissioned a bust made of her just so they would remember her.
Her life was not all seriousness and pain. There would be times for play. Romans, even women, enjoyed theater, plays, and dinner parties. Children participated in athletic games and constructive playtime to enhance their bodies and minds. While these activities were fun, they also served the purpose of enhancing one's life.
This young girl would live a segregated lifestyle, even when she was married. Before marraige, she would gather mostly with other women in private places. She would not be able to venture into public society as boys could. After marriage, she would be under the control of her husband. She would live a very private life of servitude to him, and raising his children. However, there is evidence that Roman aristocratic families lived together in grand houses unsegregated.
Yet at six, this young girl knows none of this. She is dedicated to her family. She is obedient to her parents. She probably plays a few games and learns the simplest parts of being a mature woman. She doesn't know if she's already been promised to a man. Right now she lives to please her father and she learns to become a wonderful wife and mother.
Dear Cousin Cornelia,
Salve Amici! I am so excited! Today my father comes home from the army. I didn't even mind doing all the extra chores I had to to prepare for his return. I do not remember my father. He left for war shortly after I was born. Mother says he was legate, which means he was in charge of many men. I am very excited to hear my father's stories and show him all that I have learned. My mother tells me I will not listen to father's stories, she says that fighting and the army are for the men. I don't think thats fair, but she says that alot. My mother is always saying, "Claudia, you are a girl! Leave the games and politics and school to the boys! You must learn to be a good wife, it is your duty."
I'm not sure why it's my duty not to play games like the boys do. In fact, I don't think it's fair at all. My brother, Quintus and I get tutored by a man with a funny accent. We learn about foreign countries and different people. When Quintus gets older he gets to go to all these places with my father. I asked mother if I could go with them and she says that there are more important things for me to do at home. I tell her that it would be more fun to travel to all the places I learn about.
While I am at home usually I play with my nurse, Nossis. I don't see mother too much because she is usually entertaining clients or at friend's houses. I beg her every time if I can go and she keeps telling me that someday when I am older I will get more responsibilities like hers. She says that right now it is important to just learn about being a little lady.
I spend all day learning from Nossis how to clean and cook. Do I ever get to play games with my friends? No, I must stay at home, girls aren't allowed out in public. Girls must be dignified and mature and beautiful. Augusta says I must be that way for my father. She says one day soon my father will promise me to a man to be married. This will be the most important day of my life, and it will mean I am a grown-up woman. If I want to have a this day I must show my father what a good wife I can be. So I must show that I can be mature and run an efficient household. She says men must be able to trust me with their children because they are the most important things to a man, espicially their sons.
I try really hard to listen to Nossis, especially when she teaches weaving, but it is hard to sit still that long and she drones on the whole time. She talks about this and that and how lucky I am to have my family. Sometimes, I get so bored I want to go outside and run around screaming. I am trying to be good and listen, especially this week, because father comes home and I want him to be proud of me. I try very hard to learn.
I think I my father is home. How exciting! I am going to greet him and get ready to show him what a wonderful young girl I have become. I hope he'll be very proud of me! I hope you are doing well and you are not as bored as I am. Bene Suerte!
Claudia
Be sure to check out Claudia's house. We have created a virtual reality living space for her. Go into Iris' house. Enjoy!
If you are interested in more information regarding this young Roman girl and her life we have provided links to some pages that we thought were pertinent.
Women's life in Greece and Rome
Materials for the study of women and gender in the ancient world
Pictures of some other young children from antiquityJust a general picture from a random source.
Another picture of a young childJust a general picture from a random source.
Age, Gender and status divisions at mealtime in the Roman House
Romanae Antiquae: A broad source of women in ancient Rome.
More Ancient Roman Recipes!Double Mmmmm!
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