Among articles whose use has passed out of existence, or which have been replaced by such as more fully serve the purposes for which they were intended, are to be mentioned earthen casks and the (fig. 17), both occasionally of considerable dimensions, and each designed for the preservation of wine. There were, besides, vessels, elegant pails (p1. 32, 34) for carrying the wine from the cellar, and bowls (jigs. 15, 16, 19) for mixing it with water, for, notwithstanding their debaucheries, the Romans drank wine in a diluted state only. Dippers (jig. 18) and sam plers (fig. 22) are also to be mentioned. The drinking-cups (jig. 37) con sisted of metal, glass, or precious stones ; ivory, which has been so much in fashion since the Middle Ages, was rarely used. Kitchen utensils (jigs. were usually made of bronze. The art of tinning was also known. Since the ordinary fuel was charcoal, low trivet-shaped brasiers (fig. 27) or fire-basins (jigs. 44, 45) of the same metal were in general use. A peculiar article, which never gained a foothold in the North, but is still in general use in Italy, is the tripod or three-legged table (jig. 4r; pl. 33, 4). Its use was by no means confined to the sacrifices. Even chairs (p1. 33, fig. 109) were often of metal, and in that case were covered with cushions. The candelabra, which were also of metal, held an important place and appear iu the most varied forms, often with branches for several lamps. They were placed in those parts of the room where there was need of the greatest amount of light, inasmuch as the custom of all sit ting around the table was much less general than it is with us. The graceful shapes of the lamps are shown in Figures 38 and 39 (pl. 32). As we have already stated in the paragraph on house-furnishing (p. 209), the Romans had no other means of increasing illumination than by multiply ing the number of lamps.' In later times chairs were less used than couches, which, however, being of light and graceful construction, could be readily moved about. The dining-tables were low, because the Romans, like the Greeks, reclined at their meals, resting on the left arm and using the right hand only. The table was square, and was surrounded on three sides by up holstered couches (lecli), the fourth side being left free for the approach of the servants. Each conch accommodated three persons, so that nine covers could be laid at each table. If the guests exceeded that number, another triclinium, or dining-room, had to be arranged. In course of time round tables also came into use. At their banquets the Romans sought to please the eye and ear as well as the palate, and gifts were distributed as souvenirs.
The Toys and Games of the Roman children as well as those of adults were very similar to those of the Greeks. We find in the most remote regions graves of children containing clay figures, dolls with movable limbs, etc., such as we have already described (p. 131). The mission which brought such humanizing agencies, petty as they seem, to bar barous peoples should not be undervalued.
Alusic, Books, earlier times, when musical instruments were used almost exclusively for military purposes, the Romans contented them selves with the trumpet and the horn. To these the flute was added for religious and social purposes. Eventually, they adopted every instrument which they found among foreign nations.
Books consisted of written rolls of parchment or some similar material, and were kept in cases or boxes (fl. 32, fig. .1); waxen tablets served for ordinary use, but important state documents were engraved on brass. Dies
of this metal (fig. 20) for stamping or branding the owner's name have been found in large abundance. Chests and boxes were locked with very ingenious keys (figs. 12, 13); unfortunately, no locks are in existence, as they perished with the wooden boxes. Bathing utensils consisted of mir rors (Jig. 3), wash-basins, ointment-boxes, and various kinds of flesh scrapers (fig. II) which were used instead of soap and sponge.
Domestic Li f e.—In entering upon the consideration of Roman life, domestic and public, we have first of all to realize the entire lack of simi larity between the customs of social intercourse and that which elsewhere forms their basis and support. While in their social life the Romans fol lowed the Greek model in all respects, and adopted as many customs as the highly receptive Latin nature could assimilate, yet in regard to domestic and civil intercourse they preserved their original characteris tics until everything was finally overwhelmed by foreign influence.
However, we discover manifest contradictions connected with these ancient institutions which we find it difficult to explain if we turn our attention to natural development alone and disregard historical events and positive laws. The father had unlimited power over his family, and he alone decided whether the newborn child should he nurtured or be helplessly exposed; yet the mistress of the house enjoyed an importance and a dignity never found among the Greeks. The Roman state was based even more than that of Sparta on the patriotism of its citizens, yet it in no way concerned itself about their education. The women, although without any recognized political status, zealously nurtured every gene rous feeling of patriotism. A deep sense of religious feeling fitted well with the warlike spirit of the Romans.
Chia/toot-1.—We give on Plate 30 (fig. 1) a reproduction of an extant ancient fresco representing the birth of a child. The ceremony of be stowing the name took place in the case of boys on the ninth day after birth, and in that of girls on the eighth. It was performed at the domestic altar in the presence of friends, who gave presents of toys to the babe, while the parents supplied it with an amulet. In order to indi cate his rank, the son of a noble was wrapped in a purple-bordered cloth (suggestive of the toga 1.1-alexia,. see p. 204) as soon as his swaddling cloths were removed. In his seventeenth year (in later times in his six teenth) the youth left school and prepared for his entry into public life. On this occasion, which was also celebrated with domestic festivities, his colored toga was replaced by a simple white one. (See p. 216.) All the youths who celebrated this festival at the same time assembled in the Forum, and were thence led to the Capitol, there to make their first independent sacrifice. Figure 3 is a fresco from the Baths of Titus.
It represents several boys playing ball under the supervision of a tutor.
Education.—The schools of the Romans were like those of the Greeks, except that the latter people scarcely ever studied foreign languages, while among the former, especially in later times, the knowledge of the Greek language was considered an essential requisite for every educated man. In later times Greek became to Latin what French formerly was to the other languages of Europe. That women too were allowed the opportunity to participate in higher culture, and even to devote them selves to the fine arts, is proved, among other testimony, by a fresco from Pompeii 30, jig-. 4), in which a female painter is represented.