For several generations, we have been awed by the beautifully preserved elegance of Pompeii. Exquisite frescoes and mosaics, lovely gardens, neighborhood bars, and ghostly plaster casts of those who died. But rarely do we get glimpses into the darker side of Roman life, the life of a slave in Pompeiian slave quarters.
photo by Commonists, wiki
Pompeiian Slave Quarters
Earlier this year archaeologists excavated a luxurious ceremonial chariot, one more sign of the wealth of this Roman city. Now, only steps away from the chariot, archaeologists have found a small room lived in by slaves. I guess it makes sense that the stables and the slave area were close to each other. (Here for a post about the ceremonial chariot.) The juxtaposition of these two finds and the range of ancient life they reveal give them poignancy.
Ancient Ikea?
This newly found slave room has one high window and plain brick walls. Additionally, the three wooden beds share the space with amphorae and other household storage, including a horse harness. Interestingly, the Italian press seems most impressed with the adjustable beds. Apparently, the bed frames can be altered to fit the occupant via wood planks of adjustable lengths. In the press, they called these “Ikea” beds. Hmm. They seem to have lasted a long time for Ikea furniture.
A Family Dormitory in these Pompeiian Slave Quarters
While two beds are six feet long, one is four feet. From this, the archaeologists believe that perhaps a family of slaves slept in the room. Under the beds, the residents stored their meager personal possessions and chamber pots. I would love the details about those possessions, but they didn’t include them in this otherwise interesting post about this latest find of Pompeiian slave quarters. The ongoing excavations at Pompeii continue to bring surprises, both lush and sad.