Lucius Caecilius Iucundus
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, along with some material found about bank book-keeping, and 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 complete 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's Family
Caecilius est pater. Metella est mater. Quintus est filius. Grumio est coquus. Clemens est servus. Cerberus est Canis. Melissa est ancilla. Metella in atrio sedet. Caecilius in tablino pecuniam numerat. Clemens in horto laborat. Quintus in triclinio bibit. Grumio in culina cibum parat. Melissa in cubiculo lavat. Sex is good
Caecilius is the Father. Metella is the Mother. Quintus is the Son. Grumio is the Cook. Clemens is the Slave. Cerberus is the Dog. Melissa is the slave girl. Metella is sitting in the hall. Caecilius is in the study counting money. Clemens is working in the garden. Qunitus is in the dining room drinking. Grumio is preparing food in the kitchen. Melissa is sweeping in the bedroom.
Some pictures:
