When did a boy become a man in ancient Rome?
Throughout history, the idea of when a boy becomes a man has differed significantly from culture to culture. In Ancient Rome, this life-stage transition was marked with a special ceremony—the ‘Bulla’. The Bulla was a leather pouch that was placed around the neck of a young man entering the manhood stage of his life. This ceremony was only exclusive to the male population of Rome and was believed to bring protective power and luck to the boy entering manhood.
The traditional Roman juvenile grew up very differently from modern juveniles. Unlike today, there were no formally established schools and little in terms of educational support for boys. Thus, as early as six or seven years old, young boys were expected to take on a wider range of responsibilities and were treated as adults by the community. Therefore, the Bulla was seen as an acknowledgement of the boy’s transition and an external reminder for all that the young man was now entering the ‘Manhood-stage’ of life.
Within the ceremony, the Bulla was traditionally made of leather and decorated with signs and symbols. These decorations included images of Mars, the god of war, or Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, amongst many others. These symbols of power and strength were intended to not only honour the gods and the Roman State, but to also empower the young man in his transition to adulthood and help him embrace his new role in society.
The exact age associated with this life-stage transition varied greatly depending on the individual and his birth rank; poorer Roman boys may have become adults as early as fifteen whereas those from a wealthier background were not expected to reach manhood until their early twenties. In fact, the process of becoming an adult was so lengthy for wealthy Roman boys, that there was even a separate ceremony for this event at the age of twenty-five. This ceremony was known as ‘toga virilis’ and consisted of a formal procession and the presentation of a new robe indicating the young man’s entrance into real adulthood.
The boy entering manhood had to go through a major transformation. As a breaking away from his childish life, he had to discard all of his toys and step into the life of a man. He received a symbol of adulthood with the Bulla, that he held close to his heart and was expected to perform his duties and responsibilities like a true man. He had wrestled with his inner self, learned the choreographies of adulthood and finally, was considered intensely adult. The Bulla was his acceptance and acknowledgement not just by the society, but by himself.
The Bulla is a symbol of one of the major transitions people of Ancient Rome had to take from the state of a minor to the stage of a grownup Roman man. The ceremony of Bulla not only united the boys with the divine figures, but it was also an entrance point to understand the laws and rules made by Rome. Most importantly, the Bulla became an ultimate protector, which every young Roman man looked to as he knew he could overcome all the difficulties in his life with this symbol of manhood.
What physical changes defined adulthood in Ancient Rome?
In Ancient Rome, adulthood was strongly entrenched in physical maturation. Physically, children were branded with a cut in the left ear to indicate the boy turning into a man. The cut was based on a passage from the Aeneid; “you shall wear them in your left ear as a mark of your manhood”. This practice sought to mark the transformation of a boy into a soldier. Fathers were also known to place a weapon or other symbol of manhood, such as a shield or helmet, in the lap of their son when the boy was a teenager, signifying the entrance into adulthood and the responsibility associated with it.
In addition to physical maturation, a number of socio-economic milestones were also indicative of a boy becoming a man. These milestones varied according to social class and education levels. Commonly, men of lower class were expected to enter adulthood upon reaching physical maturity which would have been between the ages of fourteen to seventeen. Conversely, upper-class citizens with access to formal education were given additional time to reach adulthood, as they were expected to complete their studies and show the wealth, power and influence of the family.
The degrees of maturity measured in Ancient Rome could vary based on the desired outcome of the boy’s adulthood. For men entering the military, reaching adulthood meant displaying battlefield prowess, whereas for those entering the political realm, maturity was likely to include taking on leadership roles. Ultimately, regardless of the intended outcome, a boy seeking to become a man in Ancient Rome was expected to display intelligence, physical prowess and social standing as a symbol of adulthood.
How was manhood regarded in Ancient Roman Society?
In Ancient Roman society, manhood was greatly respected and sought after. It was seen as a measure of accomplishment, as men who had achieved adulthood represented the strength, wisdom and hard work essential to Roman success. In literature, adulthood was often depicted as coming with a degree of responsibility and maturity, as the adult was expected to protect those still under an apprenticeship such as children or other minors.
Due to a Roman man’s increasing social and economic standing, adulthood was a rite of passage not only for the individual, but for the entire family. It was believed that upon undergoing this milestone, the man was now responsible for the entire family’s well-being. As such, the importance of manhood in Ancient Roman society was deeply entrenched in familial and social roles.
Furthermore, entering adulthood in Ancient Rome did not just mark the conclusion of the boy’s journey, but instead marked the beginning of a shared responsibility within the community. Exciting ventures including war, politics and religious ceremonies were now accessible to the adult male who, upon experiencing his adulthood ceremony, would have been given a new sense of purpose and understanding of his place in society.
What role did the gods play in Ancient Roman manhood?
The gods played a vital role in Ancient Roman manhood as they were seen as the source of protection, wisdom and strength. This reverence of the gods led to the incorporation of mythical legends in the manhood ceremony, particularly in the decorations of the Bulla. Signs and symbols depicting different gods were a consistent feature of Bulla accessories, intended to not only honor the divine figures, but also to empower the individual in his transition to adulthood.
The gods were also used to further educate boys about their responsibilities as adults. It was believed that each god represented a major aspect of a Roman man’s life and through studying their myths, young men were taught how to properly conduct themselves as responsible members of the community. For example, Mars was believed to represent courage in battle, while Minerva was regarded as the goddess of wisdom.
In addition, the gods were seen to have a direct influence on the man’s well-being. From protection in battle to the successful operation of the family, the gods were necessary for the everyday running of Roman life. Thus, the celebration of manhood through the Bulla was an important acknowledgement of the gods’ presence and contribution to Roman success.
What did ‘Manly Virtues’ signify to the Ancient Romans?
The transition to manhood in Ancient Rome was representative not only of physical maturity, but also the transition fromboy to a responsible, self-reliant adult. Manly virtues – a term used to describe an adult man’s responsibility to his family, country and society – were therefore a vital element of Roman manhood.
To become a man, an individual was expected to adorn these qualities. From providing for one’s family to participating in the armed forces, manhood was associated with a successful career, good looks and a strong moral compass. This extended beyond what had been expected during the boys’ apprenticeship and set the expectations for manly behavior in the decades to come.
Central to these virtues was the value of courage, both in and outside the battlefield. Ancient Romans believed that courage was the mark of a true adult, and was therefore essential for those seeking to transition into manhood. In addition, honour and loyalty to family, friends and country were also key components of the manly virtues that Roman men had to adhere to.
What external pressures were placed on adult men in Ancient Rome?
As a newly adult man in Ancient Rome, individuals were expected to uphold their respective families’ honour and prestige, maintain the core values of society, and act as protector and provider for those in his clan.
Families relied on their adult sons to support the family’s socio-economic standing, as adult males were heavily relied upon for financial support and military protection of the home. As such, adult males were expected to partake in activities such as trading, politics and war in order to bring success and prestige to their family.
These external pressures meant that adult men had a lot to prove in Ancient Rome. Having achieved manhood, they were expected to display the ideal qualities of a Roman citizen, such as courage, ambition and responsibility. Ultimately, failure to adhere to the expected traits of manhood, such as cowardice and debauchery, was seen to have an extremely unfavorable effect on the reputation of the adult man and his respective family.
