Samuli Simelius: “Roman Urban Inequality: Challenges and Methodological Approaches”

Abstract

The study of Roman inequality has traditionally focused on individuals’ legal and family status; however, recent research on themes such as gender, ethnicity, economics, and health has highlighted additional factors shaping social stratification. These approaches have deepened our understanding of the complexity of Roman social dynamics, but the field still requires further development to capture a broader picture of Roman society.

In this talk, I take a closer look at economic and health inequality, examining how these topics have been studied, the challenges involved, and potential ways to address them. My approach focuses on Roman cities, particularly on the spatial qualities and dynamics of domestic space and its relationship to the surrounding urban environment. The methodology employs quantitative measures – such as the Gini coefficient – to facilitate comparative analysis across archaeological datasets from different periods and geographical contexts. Nonetheless, these tools are not without limitations when applied to the distant past, and this talk will present methodological and source-based approaches that may help address these challenges.