Roman children played
games. They had dolls
and pull toys. Boys had
hoops and tops. They built
with bricks. Mothers taught their
children at home. By age seven,
wealthy children went to school.
They learned to read and write Latin.
Boys and girls studied together.
They wrote on wax tablets. Lessons
included Greek and arithmetic. Poor
children went to work. Some became
apprentices. An expert taught them
their jobs. Slaves worked from a
young age.
Girls could marry at age 12. Boys
could marry at age 14. But most
grooms were much older than the
brides. Usually fathers
arranged the marriage.
A good marriage increased
the family’s wealth or social
standing. Weddings occurred at
the bride’s home. The bride wore
a white tunic. Her veil and shoes
were flame-colored. The couple
held hands during the ceremony. A
sacrifice came next. Then they had a
feast. Everyone went to the groom’s
house. The bride was carried over
the threshold. This was for good
luck.
Divorces were easy. The couple said
they would not live together. Then
the woman went back home.
Or she lived independently.
13
A painting from
Pompeii showing
a married Roman
couple
