Interview with Poor Plebeian Reveals Shocking Truths about Rome

Petronius: Hello, my name is Petronius Cornellius and today I am joined by Pontius Servilus. Pontius, could you describe your living situation exactly for us?

Pontius: Well, I was fortunate enough to find a small opening along the side of an abandoned building that I can use as shelter. I don’t really have any real clothes or much food for that matter but there are some dogs that visit me so I have them as company at least. In simpler terms, I am homeless.

Petronius: So were there any specific events that led you to be in this position? Because we know how big of a problem homelessness is today.

Pontius: A couple years ago, I was doing great. I never thought I’d be here. But it’s all thanks to the war that never seems to stop. When they called me to fight, I thought I was prepared if I didn’t make it out alive, but I should’ve been preparing for the other possibly. Losing everything and living alone on the streets. We never thought this could happen to us.

Petronius: We? So you have a family?

Pontius: Oh, yes. I had a beautiful wife, and my 2 children. I haven’t seen them since I departed. Even after traveling from city to city in search of them, I haven’t had anything but bad luck. I want more than anything in the world to be with them again. They were my pride and joy, not a second passes when I don’t think about them. The only thing keeping me alive is the hope that I will find them again.

Petronius: And being in your situation, how do you feel about poverty in Rome? Have your beliefs changed since the war?

Pontius: They definitely have changed. Before being called to battle, I was aware of the severe poverty rates, but never really realized that you can’t really be prepared for something like this. Many of our neighbors were being forced to sell their farms to rich patricians or latifundia. Now being in their position, I know what desperation really feels like and whenever I look around and see how many others are in my position it really shows me that Rome needs to make a change.

Petronius: What do you think Rome should do about this?

Pontius: Well, I think that if the senate and latifundia can afford to buy all our land, can’t they afford to help the homeless? It seems to be such a simple philosophy that if your citizens are happy, your empire can thrive. But I can see now that Romans are taken over by their hunger for money and power. I feel ashamed for what our nation has become.

Petronius: Wow, it truly is incredible how fast the tables can turn and one can go from the backbone of a nation to living on the streets. It’s such a shame how often this is happening, but thank you for all the insight and for coming today, Pontius.

#plebeian #homeless #interview