I am a slave, and started working here when I was about seven years old. I am now in charge of the villa for my mistress. She does not like running the household, preferring to live in the city, spending time shopping, or with her friends. I have many slaves working for me, which is just as well, as there is so much to do.

Firstly I have to look after the villa itself. Floors must be swept, mosaics kept clean and smooth, doors and furniture polished with oils and beeswax. We often beat the rugs and bedding to remove insects and dust. My master is rich, so he has silver and pewter tableware. We clean it with chalk dust and leather cloths.

Some slaves do special jobs. Some are spinners and weavers, making clothes for themselves and the family, bed-covers, wall-hangings and cushion covers. Others work in the kitchen, and some are personal slaves to my master and his family. In winter, most rooms are heated with charcoal fires in shallow metal bowls (braziers), but some have underfloor heating. Slaves light the fire (furnace) outside the room, and keep it burning day and night to keep the room warm.

As night falls, we light candles, torches and oil lamps, and lock the doors using heavy keys and bolts. My master and mistress have many fine things, and I would be in trouble if anything was stolen!