The Roman Education system and the impact it had on

America’s Education
By Robert Schuman

Roman education became the basis for America’s education system. Although there are
many similarities such as their beginnings, and the subjects that they taught, there are also
distinct differences like the methods used by the teachers. Knowledge at the Roman times
was limited and this led to concentration on certain subjects.
Boys in the early Roman Republic were educated by their fathers and the girls by
their mothers, this promoted strong family bonds that helped forge the empire into what it
was to become (Roman Society). As the Romans became more and more wealthy they
began to use slaves, mostly Greeks, to teach their children. The more promising children
may have gone to an independent teacher who lived off of the payments from the parents
of the children. This was before the people of the Roman Empire became wealthy and
sent their children to be taught by others. The schools systems operated a lot like modern
schools. Unlike some think, corporal punishment was not any more evident in Roman
schools then many twentieth century schools and there is not evidence that any summer
holiday existed,(historylearningsite.co.uk) though most experts believe that there was
one. Many accounts tell of time that school began for the Romans, most ancient writers
say it was before sunrise, Ovid talk of how “dawn robs children of their sleep and hands
them over to the schoolmasters.” (p.48-49 Roman Education) The length of the school
day is not truly known although a later account from Ausonius speaks of a six hour day.
(p. 48 Roman Education)
Girls received a much shorter education then boys and were often out of school by the
age of twelve and sometimes married at that age (p.55 Roman Education) They ended up
being less educated but still had enough knowledge to be a beneficial member of society,
and to their family.
America’s education system started in much the same way, the children were
taught by their parents and the fortunate ones were able to have access to a higher source
of education. That changed when the public school system came about in the 19th century
and higher education became available to all. Both girls and boys are given equal
opportunity to learn in America and are encouraged to become active members of
society.

There are many similarities between Modern Americas education system and the
Romans system. One of which is the emphasis on the idea of benefiting the nation as a
whole rather than putting the individual first. Romans stressed that the goal of a model
citizen was to help the empire first and themselves second, this might include serving in
the army or the government. The US education system also pushes for the students in it to
benefit those around them and to further their nation.
This is not to say that The Romans or the American system does not believe in
personal gain. In fact during the later Roman Empire some would live to attract attention
from others, this was known as legacy-hunting.(Roman Civilization p.108)They were
often idolized for this practice and it was even profitable for a rich man, rather than take
the responsibilities of fatherhood, to remain “unreachable” as parents of young women
would give gifts and other incentives in order to try and lure him in to marrying their
daughter. The school systems also encourage the individual to great deeds and fame as
long as they are good for society. America often encourages celebrities and looks up to
them. A good way to sum up the Roman and modern beliefs about the members of
society is with the statement “Individual fame but entire benefit.”
(Roman civilization)
The Roman school system, like the US’ , taught the basic principles of math,
reading, and writing to the younger students and therefore most Romans were literate and
were able to compute mathematical equations from an early age. But between the ages of
twelve and fifteen the students learned a lot of poetry and great works by both Roman
and Greek writers unlike Americas’ system. In America, as in other modern countries, the
schools continue to teach more and more intricate studies such as philosophy and science.
The Roman education did not end there, by the age of fifteen the boys who still were in
school began to study more intricate subjects including philosophy and law, if their
families could afford it. (Roman-empire.net)

Along with the many similarities, there are also many stark differences between
the US school system and the Romans. The Romans were fond of using pictures to
illustrate ideas to students. Pictures of characters from Roman mythology and famous
battle scenes were common in schools. (Roman Education p.45)The art provided a
different way to study history and probably more interesting for those learning it then the
modern way of merely reading about it.
The education of girls would end at the age of 12 and many boys would stop there as
well, unlike in America where boys and girls continue their education. Only the wealthy
families could afford to send their sons to gain a higher education, the other boys would
join the army or learn their fathers’ trade from him. (Roman-empire.net) The art of
rhetoric, or logic as it is more commonly known, was widespread in the ancient schools.
The Romans typically looked to the Greek knowledge on the subject as a starting place,
and in fact most students would study under a Greek to learn many subjects.
So as you can see the Roman school system was the basis for most modern systems, even
with the differences between America’s system and the Romans. The Roman system was
a superb system to base the American system on, with its hard working mind set and the
Romans drive for excellence, and provided for a strong education system in America and
ultimately a strong country

Bibliography:
Wilkins, Augustus Samuel, Roman Education, Cambridge: University Press 1905
Giles, A. F. Edinburgh: T.C. & E.C. Jack Ltd. 1926
Unknown. “Roman Society” The Roman Empire. Unknown. February 1 2010 <
Http://www.roman-empire.net/index.html
Thattai, Deeptha. A History of Public Education in the United States. Date founded
unknown. February 3 2010 Http://www.servintfree.net