Ancient Roman Education System: Schools & Learning

The Roman Education System: Foundations

Early education, significantly influenced by Greek practices, often began within the family. Teachers, known as magistri, imparted a variety of lessons. The Roman educational system progressed through distinct stages:

• Primary Education: Taught by the litterator.
• Secondary Education: Led by the grammaticus.
• Higher Education: Guided by the rhetor.

Higher education often involved a year or two of intensive oratorical practice. Young men typically concluded their formal studies upon reaching the age of majority.

Primary Education: The Litterator's School

During the late Roman Republic and throughout the Empire, primary education typically began for children aged 7 to 11. While some wealthy families employed private tutors, most children attended public schools. Even slaves received instruction, learning good manners and basic philosophy.

Children were often accompanied to school by a paedagogus, a slave responsible for their conduct and safety. School days were approximately six hours long, interrupted by a lunch break. The academic year commenced in March, with a summer vacation and public holidays every nine days when schools closed.

Local schools were often humble, situated in porticos or tabernae (shops). The litterator typically sat on a raised platform, sometimes with curtains for privacy, while students sat on the floor or low stools. Anyone could enter these open facilities.

For writing, students used wax-coated tablets, writing with a stylus that had a flat end for erasing. They also wrote on papyrus or parchment using a reed pen (calamus) and ink (atramentum). The core curriculum at this elementary level focused on:

• Reading
• Writing
• Counting

However, excessive permissiveness and tolerance sometimes hindered the attainment of educational objectives, and the reputation of the litterator could be quite low.

Secondary Education: The Grammaticus's Curriculum

From ages 11 or 12 until 16 or 17, when they assumed the toga virilis (manly toga), students attended the grammaticus's school. This stage of education was more advanced and expensive, as the grammaticus was considered more skilled than the litterator, commanding higher fees. These schools were often better located and employed more talented teachers.

The curriculum focused on a deeper study of language and literature, including:

• Grammatical theory
• Greek and Latin classics
• Commentary on the formal aspects of texts
• Music
• Recitation
• Oratory
• Philosophy
• Astronomy

Simple exercises in composing passages were common. Key authors studied were primarily poets, such as Virgil, Terence, Naevius, and Horace, with less emphasis on prose. Punishment was less common at this level, and students were expected to respond to the teacher's vigilance and concern. The grammaticus provided a proper study of language and a detailed explanation of poetic works.

Higher Education: The Rhetor's School

After assuming the toga virilis, young men aspiring to public life, law, or public speaking attended the rhetor's school. The rhetor aimed to provide a comprehensive education in arts, sciences, and law, teaching the intricate system of rules and models of oratorical art and expression.

Following preparatory exercises, students engaged in extensive practice of declamation, often witnessed by relatives and friends. This advanced stage of education was crucial for developing the eloquent speakers and legal minds that distinguished Roman society across generations.