In ancient Rome, the education system was largely based on the social status of the child. Children from wealthy families would receive a formal education, while those from poorer families would often receive little to no formal education. The primary purpose of education in ancient Rome was to prepare children for their future roles in society. For boys, this meant preparing them for military service and public office. For girls, it meant preparing them for marriage and motherhood. The curriculum for boys typically included reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, rhetoric, and history. The curriculum for girls was more limited and typically included reading, writing, and basic arithmetic.
Primary Education (7–12)
Primary education was for boys and girls from wealthy families. Reading, writing, and basic arithmetic were subjects taught. They also began learning the Greek language.
Grammar School (12–16)
For male students, who continued their studies, the grammar school provided Latin and Greek language study, math, grammar, rhetoric, history, geography, morality, music, geometry, and astronomy.
Schools of Rhetoric (16–18)
For those continuing beyond grammar school, students attended a school of rhetoric. Rhetoric, debate, reading, and literature were studied here.
Universty (19)
Roman schools didn’t issue college degrees. Those men continuing with schooling went to a university in Greece. Here they studied philosophy, math, medicine, art, and astronomy.
Women’s Education
Women’s education was often limited. Some girls from wealthy families might receive a basic education in reading, writing, and arithmetic, but formal education for girls was not as widespread as it was for boys. Girls were primarily prepared for their roles as wives and mothers, so their education was often limited to skills that would be useful in those roles.
End of Formal Education
Formal education typically ended by age 16 for boys and 14 for girls. After their studies, upper-class boys might pursue public service, law, business, or a political career.
During the Republican period (509–27 BC), education was largely a private matter, with wealthy families hiring tutors to teach their children. During the Imperial period (27 BC–476 AD), the government began to play a larger role in education, establishing public schools and universities.
Famous Roman Teachers
One of the most famous teachers in ancient Rome was Marcus Fabius Quintilianus, known as Quintilian. He lived in the 1st century AD and was a tutor to the future emperor Domitian. Quintilian wrote a book on education, Institutio Oratoria, which is still considered one of the most influential works on education ever written.
Another famous teacher in ancient Rome was Marcus Tullius Cicero, who lived in the 1st century BC and is considered one of the greatest orators of all time. Cicero wrote extensively on philosophy, politics, and literature, and his writings have had a profound impact on Western thought and culture.