Holiday with the Ancients
Exploring the Hip Destinations of the Roman Golden Age
Have you ever wondered if the ancient Romans took a break from their busy lives to go on vacation?
What did they do, and where did they go?
When a podcaster like Mike Duncan, in his unparalleled History of Rome podcast, shines a spotlight on some of these intriguing minutiae, it always leaves me with a greater sense of wonder and a deeper connection to people from that era.
These are the details that truly have the power to transport you back in time — and bring some of the history to life.
The Period & the Place
Now the Romans were at it for a long time — even longer if you considered the Eastern Roman Empire (i.e. Byzantium).
If we were to look at the entire period, and all the different territories this vast empire covered over their years, you could probably write several [hundred] encyclopaedias on the topic.
So let me scope this a little.
In this article we’ll keep it to the “golden age” of ancient Rome, that is, the years 27 BCE- 180 CE.
And to those living in the city of “Roma” itself.
The People
Just like in our modern times, not all people in ancient Rome had the privilege of going on holiday — the ability to travel and enjoy leisure time was very much dependant on your socioeconomic status.
Journey back in time to this golden age of Rome and you’ll find a city bustling with an eclectic mix of social strata — each group perched on its own rung of the ladder of societal hierarchy:
For all of these social classes, holiday activities and pastimes would be varied depending on the individual or family — this being said, let’s generalise a bit here!
What Happens in Pompei…Stays in Pompei
The Patricians were the super rich of ancient Rome, enjoying a luxurious and opulent lifestyle.
They lived in grand palaces adorned with exquisite artwork, by which they wined and dined with their friends at fancy dinner parties.
As a Patrician during this period, your holiday options were limitless. You could choose to take a long journey to a luxurious villa overlooking the Mediterranean, where you would be waited on by an entourage of servants, or you might prefer a more adventurous trip to the far corners of the empire.
It was common for this crowd to holiday in the towns of Herculaneum and Pompeii in the Gulf of Naples, at the foot of Mount Vesuvius — with a breath-taking panorama of the bay.
According to ORBIS, an interactive map posted by Stanford University — developed to calculate travel times during the ancient Roman era, a trip from Rome to Pompeii was about 250km.
You could walk that distance in about 8 days.
If you were a wealthy Roman, who could afford a fast carriage, it might take 4 to 6 days, depending on how much of a hurry you were in.
But you may also have gotten there more quickly by way of a delightful cruise along the sunny coastline.
Once there, you’d find all the usual leisure facilities — baths and theatres — available to you, and the exquisite seaside location also made it a popular spot for swimming and boating.
Those who wanted to watch animals and humans butchered alive could do so, just as in Roma; the Amphitheatre of Pompeii (founded 70BC) was one of the largest in Italy, seating around 20,000 people (it was abandoned, along with the city, after the eruption of Vesuvius in 79BC).
Prostitution in ancient Rome was legal and licensed, and for the more debaucherous elites (of which there were many), Pompeii boasted dozens of brothels, with images ranging from the mildly erotic to the blatantly pornographic lining the streets.
A Hunting Trip to the Countryside
The Equites, also known as the equestrian class or the knights, were a wealthy social class in ancient Rome defined by their wealth and status as horseback riders.
Hunting was a popular pastime among Equites, who could afford the best hunting equipment and horses.
Many owned large estates in the countryside, where they might hunt for wild game, such as boar or deer, or engage in falconry—or else relax and enjoy the fresh air and scenery. Outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, and fishing were also popular.
Those who preferred to stay in the city might attend the theatre (ancient Rome had a thriving theatre scene), or show off their prowess on horseback through participation in various equestrian events, such as horse races and cavalry drills.
Rome on a Budget: from Gladiator Battles to Farm Work
While their leisure activities may not have been as glamorous as those of the upper classes, the Plebeians still found ways to enjoy their time off — and were experts at taking “staycations” close to home.
There’s nothing better on a hot summers day than to escape the daily grind and take a stroll towards the increasingly deafening din of the amphitheater crowd, as they watch the charioteers race around the track at breakneck speed. Take your seat, and for a few hours you can forget about your troubles and get lost in the spectacle of it all.
This was the life of a Plebeian at the public games, which included chariot races, gladiator battles amongst other spectacles (often involving exotic animals) — the games were a hit for most, but perhaps especially the Plebeians.
There were also many other activities to do in and around the city; public baths were open to all classes in ancient Rome, and the Plebeians would have taken advantage of this opportunity to relax and socialize, or else they might participate in one of the various local sports — from wrestling to Harpastum, or visit friends and relatives.
Many also frequented popinae, which were wine bars generally frequented by the lower-classes. They were simply furnished, with stools and tables, and provided food, drink, prostitutes, and gambling.
Plebeians that were farmers may have spent their time off giving their farms a little extra tender loving care.
Chains to Chance
Slaves in ancient Rome were considered the property of their owners — they were expected to work continuously, and were not entitled to time off.
Some slave owners, however, did allow their slaves to take occasional breaks or holidays, perhaps if they had been particularly diligent; these holidays were typically granted on special occasions, such as religious festivals or family celebrations, and were often limited to a single day or evening.
On these rare occasions, these slaves would typically rest, socialize, engage in leisure activities like gambling or dancing in the local popina, and some may have used their free time to pursue hobbies or crafts that they enjoyed, such as weaving, pottery, or music.
For the most part, though, it was a tough world, and a tough life for an ancient Roman slave.
From the extravagant villas of the Patricians to the raucous days at the games for the Plebeians, each social class had their own unique ways to enjoy their time off — and despite the differences in their lifestyles and means, one thing remains clear: downtime and recreation are universal human needs that transcend time and place.
downtime and recreation are universal human needs that transcend time and place.
So don’t forget to take a break!
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