In ancient Rome, getting up early was an essential part of the day, as life started before sunrise. Even some of the most well-known Roman writers prescribed life rhythms, such as waking up at the beginning of the fourth hour before midday or dawn. We can only assume the time these ancient Romans woke up by drawing from those who have written about it and from the archaeological evidence that has been unearthed.
The Roman writer Marcus Terentius Varro, who lived in the first century BC, prescribed that the fourth hour before noon was the right time to get up. The word vigilia referred to the fourth hour and was used to refer to getting up at dawn in many parts of the Roman Empire. Other Romans recommended sleeping during the night and waking up at the morning 9th hour, which is around nine o’clock, to begin the day with a good, productive morning routine.
It is likely that the practice of waking up early had physical and mental benefits for the Romans. This early start was necessary for activities such as taking a walk, visiting the baths, or going to the market, before the heat of the day became too intense. Ancient Romans were also known to get up early to pray and conduct religious ceremonies, which were often carried out at dawn.
Archaeological evidence helps us to build a better understanding of how ancient Romans started their day. The city of Pompeii, which was destroyed when Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79, provides a unique insight into the daily routines of the ancient Romans. Evidence from the city shows that people rose early, as people were known to leave the city very early in the morning.
In addition, archaeologists have discovered the remains of sun dials and other tools which could be used to track the passage of time. These artifacts provide further evidence that the ancient Romans had an accurate and reliable way to measure time and relied on it to keep a consistent wake-up time.
Waking up early also had a social aspect for the ancient Romans. It was common for the wealthier classes to rise before sunrise to engage in social activities such as private parties or meeting up with friends. This gave them the chance to start the day in a relaxed and leisurely manner.
It appears that the ancient Romans were keen on starting the day early, no matter how they did it; some would wake up at dawn, while others chose to sleep in and wake up a few hours later. This shows that the Romans understood the importance of taking advantage of the morning hours to set the tone for the day.
Relationship with the Sun
The sun was the most accurate timekeeper for the ancient Romans, its rising and setting demarking the passing of a day. The phenomena of the sun’s light and heat were inextricably linked with their daily routines and played an important role in their wake-up time.
The majority of Roman citizen’s lives were highly structured around the cycle of the sun. They used the ever-changing position of the sun in the sky throughout the day to organize their different activities, with specific times for work, playing, and sleeping. The sun also served as a natural alarm clock, its arrival in the morning signaling the start to the day.
Additionally, the arrival of the sun marked the start of the ‘working day’ and was further proof of the centrality of the Roman gods, therefore, its presence was a source of comfort and safety. From sunrise to sunset, city streets were bustling with people and activities.
The sun serves as an important reminder of the natural order and the cycling of day and night, bringing a certain structure and comfort in one’s life. Thus, for the ancient Romans, the sun’s rising and setting served as one of the earliest determinants of their wake-up time.
Clothing and Grooming
Clothing was also an important factor in wake-up time for the ancient Romans. Back then, fresh clothing was not washed; instead it was changed at least two times a day. Thus, the Romans had to carefully decide when they wanted to get dressed, since they needed to ensure that their clothing was still fresh when they got out of the house. This pushed them to rise earlier in the morning, when they could still be fresh-faced and wear clean clothing.
Furthermore, grooming was also an important part of the daily routine of the ancient Romans, who felt the need to look their best. Grooming activities, such as using perfumes, combing their hair and washing with scented oils, can take up significant time in the morning. Thus, rising early was essential to ensure that these activities could be completed in time for the day ahead.
In the Roman world, the practice of dressing and grooming yourself was expected of all citizens. It was viewed as evidence of good morals and character, and it was seen as a sign of respect towards both oneself and others. This responsibility, along with all other morning activities, pushed Romans to set their wake-up time early in the morning.
Social Participation
The ancient Romans were keenly aware of the importance of participating in public and social life, and this was a major factor in their decision to wake up early. From participating in religious ceremonies to attending lectures and taking part in politics, early mornings were the best time to do this.
By taking part in collective activities, the ancient Romans could demonstrate their piety towards Rome and Roman gods, while at the same time, they were able to gain insight into the day’s events. This played an important role in their understanding of the politics of the city, and also enabled them to influence it in some way.
Furthermore, public activities such as theater events, amusement parks and sporting events, occurred mainly in the mornings. This compelled the Romans to rise early, in order to take full advantage of the opportunity to engage in cultural or leisurely activities.
All in all, the ancient Romans understood the importance of rising early in the morning and planned their days accordingly. By looking to the writers, archaeological evidence and other available evidence, we can speculate that the average Roman citizen woke up at around dawn. This was essential for them to complete their daily tasks, as well as to engage in social and public life.
Sleep Cycle
The concept of sleep cycles,the number of hours slept and the patterns of the Roman sleep are important to consider when looking at wake-time. Roman writers and archaeologists alike have provided us with evidence of the Roman sleep cycle.
In his book ‘De Re Rustica’ Marcus Terentius Varro suggested that the ideal sleep cycle is two hours during the day and six hours at night. He believed that this was the most effective way of ensuring maximum productivity and alertness over the course of the day. This provides us with the insight that in order to have the most efficient sleep cycle, one was expected to wake up at sunrise.
Furthermore, with regards to the quantity of sleep, ancient Roman literature suggests that eight hours of deep sleep is ideal. This means that waking up early enabled the ancient Romans to achieve a good night’s sleep before the start of their long days.
By examining the evidence from ancient Roman writers, as well as archaeological evidence from Pompeii, it seems evident that the average Roman citizen rose early in the morning. This was likely a result of a combination of physical and mental benefits, combined with their strong desire to take part in public life.
Physical and Mental Benefits
The benefits of waking up early are well known in modern societies, and would likely have been evident in ancient Rome as well. Waking up early has been found to be beneficial for mental and physical health, providing individuals with a sense of order and structure in their lives.
The physical benefits of rising early are numerous. First and foremost, waking up early allows an individual to take advantage of the morning hours to exercise, take a walk, or even go to the market before the heat of the day. This was doubly important in ancient Rome, where the heat could often be unbearable during the afternoon hours.
With regards to mental health, waking up early has been linked to improved productivity and focus. Many philosophers theorized that waking up early was necessary to ensure that one’s thoughts and feelings were clear, as the morning hours are tranquil and peaceful. Consequently, waking up earlier enabled the ancient Romans to go into the day feeling alert and energized.
These physical and mental benefits of waking up early were undoubtedly taken into account by the ancient Romans. Rising early would have enabled them to take full advantage of the day to its fullest.
Conclusion
In ancient Rome, rising early was essential for the Roman citizenry to have a productive day, engage in public activities and enjoy the physical and mental benefits of their terrain. Drawing from writers, archaeological evidence and other available sources, it seems that the average Roman citizen woke up at dawn in the fourth hour before noon, or at the ninth hour around nine o’clock. Waking up early was essential for the ancient Romans to maintain a consistent and productive daily routine and to make the most out of the day.
