The Dominant Powers in First Century Rome: The Poetic Analysis on Social Powers in Juvenal Satire 3
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Rome in Satire 3 is presented as place where there is a clear distinction between the upper and the lower classes. Juvenal’s relationship to Rome is highlighted as one of distance. As noted, there is “no room here, none at all, for any respectable Roman” (Juvenal, Sat. 3, translated by Rolfe Humphries, Indiana University Press, 1960, p. 42, lines, 229-235). By saying so, Juvenal is identifying himself as being unattached to the values of the current forms of the city. Rome is not an easy place to live during the first century. Interestingly enough, throughout The Satires of Juevenal, ending quotation marks are rarely seen— most commonly, the “quotes” remain open. The lack of closure could mean two things, either it relies on the fact that the situation presented is open for individual interpretation, or that there is no actual closure. In the end, nobody knows when this inequality will come to an end. Usually, there are many endings to one same beginning. Every human being is introduced to the world similarly, it’s what follows that differentiates the lifestyle each individual has. In Rome the social class division is one that is clear—there is a lack of middle class—there are the wealthy individuals, and the poor ones. Life in Rome is perceived differently from the eyes of each social class in regards to separate situations.
In Rome, “if you are poor, you’re a joke” (Sat. 3, p. 39, line, 148). Falling under these social standards was not an easy thing to undergo in the Roman society. An example is given as to how a similar situation for the poor and the wealthy would have a completely different result to a fire in their homes. A fire in Rome will shift the extremities even more so towards further ends on both sides. A poor man–“Codrus had nothing…losing that nothing, [is essentially] his all…No one will help him out with a meal or lodging or shelter. Stripped to the bone, begging for crusts, he still receives nothing” (Sat. 3, p. 41, lines, 208-211). Unlike Codrus whose life status shifted form poor to poorer, Asturicus’ life shifted from wealthy to even wealthier.
…If Asturicus’ mansion burns down…leaders dress in black,…[everybody groans] at the fall of the city…somebody rushes up to replace the loss of the marble…some one chips in toward a building fund, another gives statues…books, chests…a bushel of silver coins…The Persian, childless…the richest man in the smart set, now has better things, and more, than before the disaster (Sat. 3, p. 41, lines, 213-224).
The objects that were either burned down or added after the fire onto the houses explain many things in regards to the differences between the social classes. In Codrus’ house there was a “…statue of Chiron, busted, lay on its side…”(Sat. 3, p. 41, lines, 205-206). This statue presents an interesting relation to the poor citizens in Rome. Though Chiron was very knowledgeable, he was unable to cure himself thus willingly chooses to terminate his immortality. Codrus’ house had several “…Greek books, whose divinest lines where gnawed by the mice…”, (Sat. 3, p. 41, lines, 206-207). These books are a representation of a willingness to learn, of knowledge. Many poor individuals chose to leave Rome though it was known as a great city of power— much like Chiron chose to give up on his immortality though it was considered very valuable. “Long before now, all poor Roman descendants of Romans ought to have marched out of town in one determined migration. Men do not easily rise whose poverty hinders their merit. Here [Rome] it is harder than anywhere else” (Sat. 3, p. 39, lines,165-166 ).
“A poor man’s freedom” (Sat. 3, p.44, line, 289) during this time consisted on the upper class “despising” the lower. Unfortunately, “[the poor man] has to obey [the upper class man]”, (Sat. 3, p.44, line, 297) if the poor man tried “to talk back, or sneak away without speaking…[he would then be] put under a bail bond for committing assault” (Sat. 3, p. 44, lines, 94-96). An clear way to differentiate the classes is by emphasizing on the floor of both homes, Codrus’ and Asturicus’. Marble is a symbol of wealth and