What Were Common Jobs And Professions In Ancient Rome

Ancient Rome was a strong and enduring civilisation that had a significant impact on the society and culture of the world. It was one of the most influential societies in the world, and its legacy can still be seen today. The city of Rome was one of the most powerful of its time, ruling much of Europe and the Mediterranean for over 500 years. During this period, its citizens held various types of jobs and professions. Although there were many different occupations in ancient Rome, some of the most popular and important included agriculture, law, education, literature, architecture, engineering, military and government service.

Agriculture was one of the most important jobs in ancient Rome. The majority of the population were involved in growing crops, such as wheat and olives, as well as raising livestock, such as cattle and sheep. The Roman government provided incentives and subsidies to those involved in agriculture, making it an attractive option. Law was another important profession in ancient Rome. Lawyers were responsible for interpreting and applying the laws of the time, which were based on a range of sources, including Greek philosophy, Roman tradition and Roman law.

Education was also important in ancient Rome, with schools either set up by private individuals or by the government. Teachers were highly valued and were responsible for teaching the Roman language, literature, history, philosophy and other related subjects. In addition, there were specialized instruction schools, where students would learn a single discipline in depth. Literature was also a popular profession for those living in Rome. There were many poets and authors, who wrote about various topics, including politics, philosophy and history.

Architecture was another important job in ancient Rome. Architects developed plans for some of the most iconic structures in Rome, such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon. This was a highly specialized job, requiring great skill and knowledge of the material. Engineering was also an important job in ancient Rome. Many of the advances in engineering during this time, such as roads and aqueducts, are still used today. The military and government service were also two important professions in ancient Rome. The military was responsible for defending the empire, while the government was responsible for running the day-to-day operations of the empire.

Trade And Business

Trade and business were also two important occupations in ancient Rome. Merchants and traders were responsible for the import and export of goods throughout the empire. They would often travel to other cities or countries to buy and sell goods. Business, including banking and investment, was another important field. Bankers and financiers would provide loans and capital for those wanting to start their own businesses, or expand existing ones. Some would even provide financial advice and advice on investment strategies.

Medicine

Medicine was another important occupation in ancient Rome. Doctors and surgeons were highly respected, and those with the most knowledge and skill would be highly sought after. Ancient Roman physicians and surgeons were responsible for making many advances in the field of medicine, including the development of various surgical techniques.

Archaeology And Restoration

Archaeology and restoration were also two important occupations in ancient Rome. Archaeologists and restorers would comb excavations to uncover artifacts and remains from the past, while restorers worked to repair and restore damaged or lost works of art and other cultural items.

Politics And Governance

Politics and governance were also important professions in ancient Rome. Politicians and public officials were responsible for determining the laws and policies of the time, and for overseeing the various regions of the empire. This was a highly respected occupation, as the Romans believed that the rule of law and good governance were essential for a prosperous and successful society.

Moshe Rideout is a professional writer and historian whose work focuses on the history of Ancient Rome. Moshe is passionate about understanding the complexity of the Roman Empire, from its architecture to its literature, political systems to social structures. He has a Bachelor's degree in classic studies from Rutgers University and is currently pursuing a PhD in classical archaeology at UMass Amherst. When he isn't researching or writing, he enjoys exploring ruins around Europe, drawing inspiration from his travels.

2 thoughts on “What Were Common Jobs And Professions In Ancient Rome”

  1. Very interesting article. Someone I can’t recall where mentioned over 200 known jobs in the city of Rome. The history of the Palatine is very interesting, It is odd that not all the emperors like living in the Augustana but preferred the Tiberianum or the Lateran.
    Recently I took a look estimating the free population of the mainland of Italy in 28 BC. I find the low count school of 4-5 million unpersuasive as well as the high count of 14 million. There is a small but important literature on this issue, Saski Hin estimate 8.2 milliom incluing slavees. I estimate 8.5 -9 million. I posted it on academia.edu

    Reply
  2. Very interesting article. Someone I can’t recall where mentioned over 200 known jobs in the city of Rome. The history of the Palatine is very interesting, It is odd that not all the emperors like living in the Augustana but preferred the Tiberianum or the Lateran.
    Recently I took a look estimating the free population of the mainland of Italy in 28 BC. I find the low count school of 4-5 million unpersuasive as well as the high count of 14 million. There is a small but important literature on this issue, Saski Hin estimate 8.2 million including slaves. I estimate 8.5 -9 million. I posted it on academia.edu

    Reply

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