- Greetings: The most common form of greeting was the handshake (_dextrarum iunctio_), accompanied by eye contact and a smile.
- Dining: Romans typically dined in a reclining position on couches (_triclinia_), with food served in courses. They used their hands to eat, and a communal basin of water was provided for washing.
- Bathing: Public baths (_thermae_) were a central part of Roman culture and provided opportunities for socializing and relaxation. Romans typically bathed in the afternoon before dinner.
- Clothing: Roman clothing varied according to social status and occasion. The toga was a formal garment worn by male citizens, while women typically wore a long tunic (_stola_) and a cloak (_palla_).
Religious Practices
- Worship: The Romans were polytheistic and worshipped a variety of gods and goddesses, including Jupiter, Juno, Minerva, Mars, Venus, and Apollo. They made offerings and prayers at temples and household shrines.
- Festivals: Religious festivals (_festi_) were held throughout the year, often involving processions, sacrifices, and games.
- Funerals: Romans typically cremated their dead and placed the ashes in a tomb. Funerals were often elaborate, with processions and speeches.
Entertainment and Leisure
- Theater: The Romans were avid theater-goers and enjoyed a variety of performances, including comedies, tragedies, and farces.
- Circus: The Circus Maximus was a large arena in Rome that hosted chariot races, horse races, and other events.
- Gladiatorial contests: Gladiatorial contests were popular spectacles that involved armed combat between slaves, criminals, and prisoners of war.
Daily Life
- Work: Most Romans worked in agriculture, manufacturing, or trade. The wealthy employed slaves to perform domestic tasks and other forms of labor.
- Education: Education was valued by the upper classes, and boys typically attended school to learn reading, writing, and mathematics.
- Family: The Roman family was patriarchal, with the father having ultimate authority. Marriage was an important social institution, and children were expected to obey their parents.