Exploring Labor and Identity in Ancient Roman Society

*Working Lives in Ancient Rome* reveals how labor shaped identity and culture in ancient Rome, offering insights that resonate with today's labor dynamics.

A Scholarly Exploration of Ancient Labor

A newly released volume, Working Lives in Ancient Rome, coedited by Jordan Rogers, an assistant professor of history at North Carolina State University, and Del Maticic, a fellow in Greek and Roman studies at Vassar, uncovers the intricate tapestry of labor and daily existence in the Roman Empire.

This scholarly exploration ventures into a society that stretched over vast territories across three continents, weaving together a diverse array of cultures and experiences.

Like most historical narratives that often celebrate powerful leaders, the true essence of ancient life lies in the working experiences of the common people.

Recognizing this, the editors assert that examining these lives can illuminate deeper human connections to work and its lasting influence through time.

The Evolution of Work and Identity

The genesis of this book can be traced back to conversations between Rogers and Maticic during their time as graduate students, where the challenges of the academic job market emerged as a poignant topic of discussion.

Grappling with uncertainties about future career paths and their professional identities, they inevitably began to ponder the broader significance of work itself—how it defines human existence and what cultural meanings are attached to labor through the ages.

Maticic draws from his own research into labor in Latin literature, highlighting how the portrayal of creators as artisans offers a rich lens through which to examine Rome’s deep appreciation for literature and its cultural implications.

The project’s timeliness resonates with the current discourse on labor.

Although the coeditors initially envisioned a series of in-person workshops beginning in 2020, the pandemic prompted a shift to digital collaboration.

This alteration catalyzed a more profound contemplation of the intricate interplay between work and life—an exploration that feels particularly relevant given recent trends in labor dynamics.

Concepts such as “quiet quitting” and the complexities surrounding office return policies have sparked renewed reflection, showcasing the pandemic’s profound impact on how people perceive and experience work.

Scholarly interest in ancient labor has surged in recent years, a development that reveals itself in increased discussions at academic conventions, all inspired by the themes within this volume.

The editors employ conceptual frameworks to define labor in multifaceted ways, considering terms from Latin that encompass both physical toil and the broader spectrum of societal actions.

This nuanced analysis aligns with contemporary critiques of labor in an era of late-stage capitalism, offering fresh insights into both historical and modern experiences.

Labor’s Persisting Significance

Rogers emphasizes the importance of recognizing the many interpretations of work within ancient Roman society.

By illuminating these diverse perspectives, the book crafts a sophisticated narrative of labor that is both complex and multifaceted, resembling a dense forest of intertwined branches, each vying for its share of sunlight and resources.

Amid the vast expanse of the Roman Empire, the editors identify commonalities that coexist with significant regional variations.

For example, the emergence of a standardized legal framework for contracts facilitated labor relationships, yet local customs often dictated how those relationships were navigated, particularly for skilled workers traversing the empire’s boundaries.

Exploring the implications of slavery within this context reveals further nuances.

In contrast to contemporary understandings of bondage, the Roman approach to slavery featured distinct processes like manumission, which allowed certain enslaved people to attain a semblance of Roman identity, albeit within an enduringly stratified social hierarchy.

As they engaged in the editing process, Maticic encountered modern labor theories that resonated profoundly with the ancient context, forging unexpected connections between past and present concepts of identity and work.

Rogers found himself captivated by a contributor’s research linking ancient potters to a 19th-century enslaved craftsman, David Drake, further exemplifying how interdisciplinary work can unveil remarkable historical ties.

Despite the evolution of societal structures and advancements over the centuries, the responses to work surprisingly echo the sentiments of bygone eras.

People in ancient Rome articulated a wide range of attitudes toward labor, oscillating between views of it as a form of enslavement and recognizing it as an integral facet of personal identity.

In fact, work was so intertwined with self-perception that many would inscribe their professions on their tombstones, leaving a legacy that celebrated their contributions.

Through the insights presented in Working Lives in Ancient Rome, the editors invite a critical examination of the connections between labor, identity, and culture—an exploration that resonates within current conversations on the significance and implications of work in the modern world.

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