Schoolcraft College

A Day in the Life of Roman Woman

Kristen Mason
HIST 134
Dr. Thomson
11/13/16

Mason 1

My name is Augusta Domitius. I am a Roman through and through, I was born here and I
continue to live here. I am sixteen years old and have been married for little over a year. I
became an aristocratic wife the moment I married my husband. I am treated with great respect
for I am the wife of an aristocrat and I have certain standards that are my responsibility to
uphold. My duties include running my household so that it exceeds all expectations. It is also my
duty to spend time on personal grooming and beauty preparations in order to please my husband.
I am far luckier than the common women here in Rome. I am allowed to appear in public
alongside my husband. I also get to go shopping, attend festivals, games, sacrifices, and other
entertainment. I also attend many women-only social events. My goal in life is to achieve the
status of matrona. This will show that I am a respectable wife, modest, and present a sense of
honor for my family reputation.
I look down upon the Etruscans. Most especially the women. I dont understand how
their men can allow them to run wild in the streets, it is as if they have no control over
themselves. They need to learn to conduct themselves in a proper manner and perform the proper
duties of a wife. They are completely scandalous beings not even knowing who has fathered their
children. They have no class and I look down upon them.
A normal day for me consists of completing my household duties in the morning right
after I wake up and enjoy breakfast. I take care of my son, who is almost one year old. When I
have free time from him, I enjoy spinning and weaving. I also oversee the servants production of
clothing. Other days when my husband and I are not busy, we will go into town and enjoy the
day shopping and spectating at any games that are being held. Our favorite is the gladiator fights.
After we will walk home and eat dinner as a family because as an aristocrats wife I am allowed
to dine with my husband.