Not a housekeeper, but a ‘vilica’: The many responsibilities of Roman-era female farm managers were overlooked by hi

A group of people are seen crouching down in an archaeological site — Ancient farms can tell a lot about the history of a civilization.

(Image credit: Jordi Salas via Getty Images)

Female farm managers are hidden in plain sight in ancient Roman texts, mentioned in laws, literature and grave inscriptions across five centuries. Modern historians have generally assumed they were housekeepers, in charge of domestic tasks and household meals, and segregated from the productive business of the farm.

My new paper, published in the Journal of Roman Archaeology, challenges this assumption.

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Honorary Fellow, School of Historical and Philosophical Studies

Tamara Lewit is an Honorary Fellow, School of Historical and Philosophical Studies for the The University of Melbourne

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Not a housekeeper, but a ‘vilica’: The many responsibilities of Roman-era female farm managers were overlooked by historians

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