This is for discussion post replies:
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As you noted in your post, education was largely reserved for the children of wealthy families. Furthermore, in large part, the Roman education system evolved from an informal system to a tuition-based education system. In particular, Greek slaves and freedmen served as the tutors/educators in many wealthy Roman families. Therefore, Greek thought had a significant impact on Roman education.
However, most children generally received their education in the household. I appreciate how you noted the similarity in education, in terms of quality (private vs. public), in both ancient Rome and modern Lebanon. In large part, wealthy families still have access to higher quality education. Additionally, I appreciate your point about how language was an important part of the curriculum in Rome and remains an important part of the curriculum in Lebanon. Sadly, in America, little focus is placed on learning other languages.
As for the second part of your post, I commend you for noting the gender inequality that was present in the Roman education system. As you correctly noted, education was mostly only accessible for boys. Girls, on the other hand, were generally trained in the art of running and managing the household.
Lastly, thank you for sharing your thoughts on how to improve the education system in Lebanon. Access to quality education remains a significant problem in most nations around the world, which is especially true in the United States. Furthermore, deciding on a curriculum is a truly difficult and controversial business. As you noted, increasing student choice might go a long way in cultivating students with diverse interests on a number of different career paths.
Following up with Abraham’s post, what surprised you most about the Roman education system?
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As you pointed out, the education of boys largely consisted of politics and warfare, while girls were often trained in the art of running a household. However, as you noted, the Roman educational system also involved training in writing, reading, and mathematics. In terms of political education, the Romans focused strongly on oratory and public speaking. Under the guidance of a rhetor, young men studied music, literature, mythology, geometry, and geography.
However one of the most fascinating contributions of the Romans in terms of education was the gradual learning process. According to the gradual learning process, Roman students were taught a subject gradually, meaning classes built upon the information learned in previous classes. This method is still widely utilized throughout the world today and remains one of the most significant features of modern education.
Furthermore, the American education system is gender inclusive, allowing both men and women the opportunity to attend school and take the same courses. However, biases and challenges relating to gender still plague the American education system. Additionally, there is also a significant gap in the quality of education between wealthier Americans and poorer Americans.
What do you believe is the most significant legacy of the Roman educational system?