Caecilius

Lucius Caecilius Iucundus lived in the Roman town of Pompeii in the 1st century AD. He had a wife – Metella (which means "little basket of stones"). His house still stands, and can be seen in the ruins of Pompeii. It was partially destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79. This house is known for its beauty, and some material found about bank book-keeping, also some wax tablets which were receipts.

Here is an example of tablet found in this house, recording a transaction.

The latin text reads : HS n DXX ob mulum venditum Marco Pomponio, Marci liberto, Niconi. Quam pequniam in stipulatum Lucii Caecilii Felicis redegisse dicitur Marcus Cerrinius Euprates. Eam pecuniam omnem, quae supra scripta est, numeratam dixit se accepisse Marcus Cerrinius, Marci libertus, Euphrates ab Philadelpho, Caecilii Felicis servo. Actum Pompeis, V kalendas Iunias, Druso Caesare Gaio Norbano Flacco consulibus.

Which somehow means : Mr. Pomponius Nico borrowed 520 sesterces ( =~ 500 Euro ) from L Caecilius Félix in order to cokplete a donkey transaction. Mr. PN will pay the costs involved by the transaction.

(Copyrighted work: free non commercial use granted by author Alain Canu).

Book I of the Cambridge Latin Course is based on the story of Caecilius.

Caecilius' Family

Caecilius est pater. Metella est mater. Quintus est filius. Grumio est coquus. Clemens est servus. Cerberus est Canis.

Caecilius is the Father. Metella is the Mother. Quintus is the Son. Grumio is the Cook. Clemens is the Slave. Cerberus is the Dog.

Some pictures:

• house
• wall painting