Exploring the life of a skilled slave working for an architect in Ancient Rome and hoping for his freedom.
JULIA: These ruins are where a Roman settlement once stood nearly two thousand years ago. It’s the home of Commodus Maximus, a Roman architect, and his slave, Josephus.
Life as a slave in ancient Rome was usually very hard. They worked in mines and on farms, and many worked in houses where they cleaned and served food. Compared to other slaves, Josephus here has a slightly easier time of it. He helps to run his master’s household and is allowed to spend his master’s money on the things they need. He also receives a peculium, which is a payment he saves and can be used to buy his in freedom in the future…and talking of his master…
COMMODUS: Josephus! I have good news!
JOSEPHUS: Yes, master?
COMMODUS: I got the new architect’s job!
JOSEPHUS: Wow!
COMMODUS: Guess what I’ll be designing?
JOSEPHUS: Aqueducts?
COMMODUS: No…
JOSEPHUS: That new wall in Caledonia?
COMMODUS: No…
JOSEPHUS: Oh, no, it’s not more roads is it?
COMMODUS: No, it’s a step up from roads!
JOSEPHUS: What is it?
COMMODUS: It’s…a bath-house!
JOSEPHUS: Oooh, nice!
COMMODUS: Look, here are the plans. There’s an apodyterium to get changed in; a gymnasium for exercise; then a caldarium where it’ll be hot; and a laconicum where it’ll be steamy.
JOSEPHUS: Oh wow, that’ll be sooo relaxing!
COMMODUS: Then you can go to the tepidarium which will be cooler, but still nice and warm; and finally have a plunge in the cold waters of the frigidarium to cool off.
JOSEPHUS: Sounds AMAZING! Er…will slaves be allowed?
COMMODUS: Of course! We’ll need people to watch out so the clothes don’t get stolen and for keeping the boilers going.
JOSEPHUS: I mean to bathe?
COMMODUS: No, I’m afraid not. I’m just designing the baths, I’m not writing the rules. Anyway, they wouldn’t let just anyone in!
JOSEPHUS: But I’m a slave.
COMMODUS: And a good one you are too! Do you know how much it costs to buy a slave that can read and write?
JULIA: The cost of a slave was sometimes twice what a soldier would earn in a year and slaves with special skills - like reading and writing - cost much more.
COMMODUS: Anyway, you’re lucky to be working here! Next time you go out, just look at how many slaves are worse off than you! Some end up in horrible places!
JOSEPHUS: It doesn’t matter where you are, if you’re not free, you’re in a horrible place. Rome wouldn’t run without its slaves.
COMMODUS: You’re starting to talk like that rebel Spartacus.
JOSEPHUS: He did have a point.
COMMODUS: He had several thousand points! Spears, swords, sharp sticks! He nearly ruined the Roman republic!
JULIA: Sparticus was a famous slave who raised an army and rebelled against the Romans.
JOSEPHUS: He was a Roman solider before he was a slave.
COMMODUS: He deserted the army! That’s how he ended up as a slave!
JOSEPHUS: There are lots of ways you can end up as a slave. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
COMMODUS: Look, we’ve already agreed, in a couple of years, you’ll have enough money saved to buy your freedom. Anyway, why all this talk about freedom right now?
JOSEPHUS: I’ve met someone…we want to marry. As we both know, slaves can’t.
COMMODUS: Oh, so that’s the reason! Well then, there’s more to look forward to in two years’ time then, isn’t there!
JOSEPHUS: Yes…erm…you don’t think maybe we could make it a little sooner? I just thought I could buy some land, maybe start a family…
COMMODUS: Oh no, I couldn’t possibly let you go at this crucial time, Josephus, you’re just so useful!
JOSEPHUS: Yes master. All in good time.
8. The slave and the architect
Julia introduces a third narrative episode, this time about a slave called Josephus working for an architect called Commodus. Josephus is a skilled slave, who can both read and write. He also receives a peculium, a small payment which he can save and one day use to buy his freedom.
Commodus has won a new contract - to build a bath-house. He shares the plans with Josephus and describes the various rooms of the bath-house and their functions. Josephus is impressed and asks if slaves will be allowed inside. Commodus replies they will be - but only to work, not to bathe.
When Josephus remarks that Rome couldn't function without slaves Commodus accuses him of speaking life Spartacus, a former soldier and slave who became a gladiator and who led a slave uprising against the Romans.
Commodus wonders why Josephus is currently so preoccupied with his freedom and Josephus replies that he has met someone he wishes to marry - but, while still a slave, he is not permitted to do so. Commodus tells Josephus he's far too valuable to lose right now and that he'll have more to look forward to when he eventually gains his freedom.
Duration: 3' 58"
Final words: '…Yes, master. All in good time.'
Video questions
- What is the name of the slave in the story? (Josephus)
- What is a peculium? (A small amount of money that the slave can save and eventually use to buy freedom)
- What is the name of the architect in the story? (Commodus)
- What building is Commodus going to design? (A new bath-house)
- Can you name any of the rooms in the bath-house that Commodus mentions? (Apodyterium for changing; gymnasium - for exercise; caldarium - the hot room; laconicum - the steam room; tepidarium - a cooler room; frigidarium - cold water)
- What jobs will slaves be required to do at the bath-house? (Look after the clothes; keep the fires stoked)
- What former soldier and slave do they talk about? (Spartacus)
- Why is Josephus currently unable to marry? (Because he is a slave and slaves were not able to marry legally)
This film is relevant for teaching History within the National Curriculum at KS2 in England and Northern Ireland and equivalent levels in Scotland and Wales.
Further resources
Teacher Notes. document
Download / print the Teacher Notes prepared in partnership with Classroom Secrets (pdf)
Transcript
Click to download / print the episode transcript
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