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Pieces of the Past

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: G. DAGLI ORTI—DEA/GETTY IMAGES; THEASIS/GETTY IMAGES; G. DAGLI ORTI—DEA/GETTY IMAGES; ROBERTO MACHADO NOA—GETTY IMAGES

What was life like in ancient Rome? In many ways, it was like our life today. Here are some objects that have survived. What do they tell you?

G. DAGLI ORTI/DEA—GETTY IMAGES

People in ancient Rome played games. They used dice like these. These dice are made of ivory.

THEASIS/GETTY IMAGES

Romans shopped at markets. They paid for things using metal coins.

G. DAGLI ORTI/DEA—GETTY IMAGES

Children wrote on waxed tablets. They used a stylus. The flat end was used to rub out mistakes.

ROBERTO MACHADO NOA—GETTY IMAGES

Romans buried the ashes of the dead in urns. This urn is made of marble.