A Roman Family

1
A Roman Family

• Mrs. Barnes

2
Setting

• Summer home Baiae near Campania
• Winter home Rome
• A.D. 80
• 1 year following the destruction of Pompeii by
  Mount Vesuvius eruption

3
Family Members

• Cornelia 14 year-old daughter
• Marcus 16 year-old son
• Gaius Cornelius Father
• Aurelia Mother
• Greek slave and tutor Eucleides
• Sextus 12 year-old boy ward living with the
  family. His mother died during the eruption and
  his father is away in service oversees.

4
Background

• Related to Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus
  Famous Roman general who defeated the
  Carthaginians in North Africa in the Second Punic
  War (218-201 B.C.)
• His daughter Cornelia is one of the most famous
  women in Roman history. She was the mother to
  the famous Gracchi brothers.
• Gracchi brothers known for social reforms during
  the second century B.C.

5
Our Cornelia

• Thus, the manuscript our young Cornelia is
  reading pertains to her famous roots with the
  original Cornelia.

6
Fathers Role in the Family

• Responsible for the estate
• Master of his house
• Has power of life and death over his family
  members

7
Mothers Role in the Family

• Runs the household
• Teaches her daughter how to be a god wife and
  mother
• Mother and Cornelia also have numerous slaves to
  help with chores. This speaks volumes concerning
  the familys monetary status.

8
Old Cornelias Perspective as Mother

9
Painting Explanation

• What does the explanation say about Roman values?

10
Also, Think About

• How do Roman households compare with modern
  households?
• How does Gaius power the power of
  paterfamilias compare with a fathers power
  today?
• How does Aurelias role compare with her modern
  counterpart?
• How does the education of Roman children compare
  with todays educational system?