The Lives of Three Individuals in the Roman Empire: A Farmer, a Soldier, and an Aristocrat

🌾The Roman farmer struggled to sustain his family on his salary, with the high cost of bread being a significant expense.

⚔️The Roman soldier enjoyed a comfortable life with military benefits, including food pensions, donatives, and lodging.

🏰The Roman aristocrat faced significant financial burdens, such as land and liability taxes, maintenance costs, and civic obligations.

🍞Bread was a staple in the Roman diet and a major expense for both the farmer and the soldier.

💰Being a member of the local aristocracy came with social obligations and financial responsibility, including providing for the welfare of imperial officials.

What was the biggest expense for the Roman farmer?

—Bread, which served as their main source of protein, was the biggest expense for the Roman farmer.

What were the main benefits enjoyed by the Roman soldier?

—The Roman soldier enjoyed benefits such as food pensions, donatives, and lodging.

What were the financial responsibilities of the Roman aristocrat?

—The Roman aristocrat had to pay land and liability taxes, cover expenses for maintaining their land and properties, and fulfill civic obligations.

What was a common staple in the Roman diet?

—Bread was a common staple in the Roman diet.

What obligations did the Roman aristocrat have towards imperial officials?

—The Roman aristocrat had the responsibility to provide lodgings, food, and other commodities for imperial officials and their retinue.

00:00The 3rd century AD was a challenging time for the Roman Empire, with economic difficulties and societal instability.

01:20We explore the lives of three individuals from different social classes: a farmer, a soldier, and an aristocrat.

02:28The farmer struggles to sustain his family with his salary, which is not enough to cover the high cost of bread.

07:21The soldier enjoys a comfortable life with benefits provided by the military, including food pensions and lodging.

12:52The aristocrat bears the financial burden of land and liability taxes, maintenance costs, and civic obligations.