Contrasting Life in the Roman Countryside and Crowded Cities

Population:

Population: While the city of Rome had a population that exceeded one million, most Romans lived in rural areas with an average population of around 10,000 inhabitants.

Living conditions:

Living conditions: People in crowded cities often lived in apartment buildings known as insulae, which were overcrowded and lacked facilities. In contrast, those in the countryside typically lived on isolated farms or in small groups of families.

Economic activities:

Economic activities: In rural areas, wealthy Romans owned large agricultural estates called latifundia, where enslaved people worked the land for the owner's profit. In cities, there were more diverse economic opportunities.