A worker's eye-view of ancient Rome

Kim Bowes reveals how ordinary Romans – from pimps and inn keepers to farmers – made ends meet in the world's first global economy

Published: May 6, 2026 at 10:15 AM

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We know plenty about the lives of rich and powerful Romans – men such as Julius Caesar and Augustus. But Kim Bowes is more interested in those who worked for a living: the so-called 90 per cent.

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In this episode of the HistoryExtra podcast, Kim tells Spencer Mizen about her endeavours to unearth the lost voices of the Roman empire's working people – from Egyptian farmers and entrepreneurial barmen to profit-hungry pimps.

Authors

Spencer MizenSenior production editor

Spencer is senior production editor of HistoryExtra magazine

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