Page 31 - SYTYGIB: Ancient Rome

FANCY THAT!
In the late 2nd century AD,
a decree (a ruling by the emperor) meant that gladiators who won their fights could be given a bonus payment of 500 sestertii — which was the amount a teacher might make in a whole year. Mind you, teachers had far less chance of being PRONGED by a big fork or eaten by a lion — even in REALLY NAUGHTY classes.
Do you ever wish . . . your family car was a bit more unusual? Cars all look roughly the same, don’t they? They’re made of metal, have rubber wheels, an engine, a
steering wheel. You know the rest. But what about something more . . . unique? Well, you could try some Roman transport.
In ancient Roman times, people might travel in a raeda, a carriage that was their version of a mini-bus. It had wooden benches, clattering iron-covered wheels and a cloth roof – if it had a roof at all! It was pulled by horses or mules.
But don’t bother jumping on board if you want to get anywhere fast – a journey that takes a couple of hours today would take more like six days back then!
If you were rich you might travel in a carpentum, which was more comfy but just as slow. Or if you were ultra-posh you could be carried around town by slaves on a litter, which was sort of like a mobile bed.
Why not ask your pals to lug you to school on a mattress – the perfect modern alternative!
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education