We know that Pompeians went to the theater, the amphitheater, and the forum. Of course, they also stayed home. That’s where they did what people always do—eat, drink, entertain, and sleep.
In a wealthy home, guests were met in an atrium. That’s a big, roofed courtyard. Off the atrium, you’d find the bedrooms, kitchen, dining room, and garden. The floors of rich people’s homes had mosaics on them. Not many windows were at street level, which helped keep out robbers.
About 20,000 people lived in Pompeii. Rich and poor lived side by side. Twelve thousand were free people, and eight thousand were enslaved. Enslaved women often spun and wove wool. Enslaved men could be field hands, household help, doctors, architects, and teachers. None of these jobs was respected very much!
