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Fun, fear and flatbread: childhood in ancient Rome

Historian, author and broadcaster Bettany Hughes delves into the lives of young people in ancient Rome, revealing a world of wooden swords, pet squirrels and brutal discipline

• Emily Briffett

Published: July 25, 2025 at 10:59 AM

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What was it like to be a child in ancient Rome? Historian, author and broadcaster Bettany Hughes delves into life for young people across the civilisation, unpicking everything from lice combs and goat-drawn chariots to toga ceremonies and terrifying teachers. Speaking to Emily Briffett, she draws upon extraordinary artefacts to uncover a world that was tough, but surprisingly relatable – if you could survive the first nine days.

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Bettany Hughes is the author of There Was a Roman in Your Garden: A History of the Romans in 20 Buried Treasures (Penguin, 2025).

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Authors

Emily BriffettSenior content producer (podcasts)

Emily Briffett is senior content producer (podcasts) at HistoryExtra

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