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Mataró Museum. Can Serra

Iluro, Roman city: Citizenship and public life

Iluro, Roman city. Photo by Eusebi Escarpenter.

Iluro, Roman city. Photo by Eusebi Escarpenter.

Daily life for Roman citizens depended on their social class. Most of the day was spent outside, in open spaces and in public buildings, where politics took place, social relations were forged, where they worshipped or where business was done.

The most important public space was the forum, a place where the temples and administrative buildings were located and where the most important political, social and religious events were held.

The artisan trade, commercial and recreational activities were located along the cardo maximus (main street) axis.

Business transactions were controlled from a central market, where manufactured products from all over the Empire arrived. In Mataró, the excavations made around Plaça Xica have made it possible to locate the remains of a large porch building, which is believed to have been the Iluro market.

In the public baths or thermal chambers, the citizens took care of their personal hygiene, held social gatherings and did gymnastic exercises followed by steam baths and massages. A swimming pool complex had hot, warm and cold-water baths. The remains of the Iluro, a luxuriously decorated large building, were located in Plaça de Can Xammar.

OBJECTS

<p>Sculpture of Venus, 2nd century AD. School of Aphrodisias, Asia Minor. Marble. From Can Xammar. Photo by Ramon Manent. Matar&oacute; Museum. Can Serra.</p>
Sculpture of Venus
Sculpture of Venus
<p>Small treasury made up of 19 gold coins (<em>aurei</em>), 1st century AD. From number 43-45, Carrer d&rsquo;en Pujol.&nbsp;Matar&oacute; Museum. Can Serra.</p>

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Small treasury
Small treasury
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