Page 23 - FindTomInTime_Rome
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Most people in ancient Rome lived in blocks of flats called , which is the Latin word for island. People who were better off lived on the lower floors, and poorer people lived above.
Many flats did not
have water or toilets, and
some landlords used wooden props to stop the buildings from
falling down. Often the insulae simply collapsed and fire was a big risk.
It was against the law
to build higher than 18 metres, but some greedy landlords ignored this and did not take care
of their buildings.
, the famous writer and statesman, joked that even the rats had packed up and left the insula he owned as the conditions were so bad. If you were poor, it wouldn’t have been a very safe place to grow up.
19
• Two boys playing dice?
• Tom?
• A dog stealing food?
• A shrine for the household gods? • Digby the cat?
• A cat with her kittens?
• A little girl playing with her doll?
