The full text of the 1883 book Roman Life in the Days of Cicero, by Alfred J. Church is available at About.com
Here is the opening of chapter 1, A Roman Boy:
A Roman father's first duty to his boy, after lifting him up in his arms
in token that he was a true son of the house, was to furnish him with a
first name out of the scanty list (just seventeen) to which his choice
was limited. This naming was done on the eighth day after birth, and was
accompanied with some religious ceremonies, and with a feast to which
kinsfolk were invited. Thus named he was enrolled in some family or
state register. The next care was to protect him from the malignant
influence of the evil eye by hanging round his neck a gilded bulla, a
round plate of metal. (The bulla was of leather if he was not of
gentle birth.) This he wore till he assumed the dress of manhood.
in token that he was a true son of the house, was to furnish him with a
first name out of the scanty list (just seventeen) to which his choice
was limited. This naming was done on the eighth day after birth, and was
accompanied with some religious ceremonies, and with a feast to which
kinsfolk were invited. Thus named he was enrolled in some family or
state register. The next care was to protect him from the malignant
influence of the evil eye by hanging round his neck a gilded bulla, a
round plate of metal. (The bulla was of leather if he was not of
gentle birth.) This he wore till he assumed the dress of manhood.
The pictures are not included.
Filed under: Main Page
