Pompeii: Life in a Roman Town

Dan Snow and Kate Lister discover how the Romans earned a living. From slave to aristocrat, everybody in Pompeii was on the lookout for the next chance to take a step up in the world.

Starting at the top end of Pompeii society, Kate visits a wealthy house with its three gardens, winter and summer dining rooms and even its own private bath house; at the Newt in Somerset, we visit a reconstruction of a wealthy Roman home.

Dan Snow and Kate Lister explore how Romans spent their leisure time in Pompeii. They visit the open-air gym for a Roman workout and the public baths, where men and women enjoyed relaxation and conversation. Dan explores a modern spa with natural hot springs, while Kate and Dan learn about Roman fashion and grooming.

Dan and Kate discover that in Pompeii, crime and violence were a daily threat, muggings were commonplace, and a night of drinking could end with fighting in the street. Dan tracks down evidence of the measures taken to protect Pompeii's posh houses.