Two thousand years ago, what were shops and banks like? How did people pay for things when banknotes had not yet been invented, let alone cash cards or phone payments? How did they know how much to pay when no prices were displayed? And how did anyone keep track of accounts when all calculations had to be done in Roman numerals? In this workshop you will find out the answers to these and other questions by playing the roles of customer, shopkeeper, and banker using replica Roman coins, counting boards, and the most important Roman financial tool of all: dried beans (yes, we really do mean that).
Calculating using beans and counting boards.
You will explore financial concepts in a new, fun way and strengthen your numerical skills. The Roman counting board system is highly visual, using different mental skills from modern arithmetic, and is often attractive to children who find the modern system difficult – as well as being popular with those who do like modern kinds of maths. You will work in a small group at your own pace, starting and leaving off at the point where you feel comfortable doing so.
Topics include:
· Roman shopping skills: how to negotiate for a good bargain,
· Roman coins and how to use them,
· Roman numerals,
· how to use a Roman counting board,
· how to make a counting board (you will end up with a working board and counters to take home),
· addition and subtraction,
· multiplication and division,
· Roman banking skills: how to negotiate a loan,
· compound interest: its power and its dangers.
The only prior knowledge required is the ability to count to 100. The workshop is designed for ages 8-16, though older and younger participants may be welcomed on a case-by-case basis. It will be held in the reconstructed Roman villa at Butser Ancient Farm, admission to which is included in the workshop fee. There will be a lunch break and two snack breaks, for which you can bring your own food or purchase sandwiches, snacks and beverages from the farm’s shop. If the weather is good, you can picnic in the villa garden; if it rains, in the villa itself.
The formal Roman garden at Butser Ancient Farm.
The workshop will be led by Professor Philomen Probert FBA. Philomen is Professor of Classical Philology and Linguistics at Wolfson College Oxford and the author of numerous books and articles about the ancient world. She has extensive experience of teaching Roman arithmetic to students of all ages, from preliterate to retirees, having introduced and developed the Reading Ancient Schoolroom’s arithmetic offerings.
Professor Philomen Probert FSA (photo by David Jeffrey).
This workshop is offered in partnership with the Reading Ancient Schoolroom, an educational charity started at the University of Reading in 2014 with the aim of bringing Roman schools to life and sharing them with today’s children. The Ancient Schoolroom will be in residence at Butser’s Roman villa from 19-25 August 2026, offering a range of workshops and drop-in activities.
If you have any mobility concerns, special requirements, or other practical questions, please contact admin@butserancientfarm.co.uk. For questions about workshop content or participants outside the expected age range, please contact the Reading Ancient Schoolroom at E.Dickey@reading.ac.uk.