Parental Supervision. The type of education Romans received depended largely upon their gender and socio-economic status. Although many Romans remained illiterate, many others learned basic reading and writing skills. For the children of wealthy families, the study of reading and writing often began at home and then continued when the children attended school. Both fathers and mothers took an active interest in their children's education.

Tutors. Roman men often took pride in teaching their own children rather than entrusting them to foreign slaves or poor instructors. However, sometimes circumstances prevented fathers from instructing their children regularly. Men pursuing a military career could be absent from home for long periods of time, while politicians constantly worked in the Forum or Senate house. Therefore, a carefully chosen tutor was more often the favored method of educating children.

Gendered Education. By the age of twelve...