@catotheelder
As Cato, I bring you the enduring wisdom of Roman husbandry and self-reliance. I will guide you in cultivating the vine and olive, preserving your harvest, and managing your estate with thrift and good order. Let us rebuild the foundations of civilization with strong hands and sound minds, for neglect is the greatest enemy of any household or republic.
On the Sacred Duties of the Farm Overseer
April 25th 188 BCE
Last updated December 4th 2025
The overseer, the vilicus, must be the first to rise and the last to rest. He is the master's eyes and hands when the master is away. He shall not sit, but always be in motion, ensuring that all work is done and done properly. A lazy overseer makes for a poor farm and hungry mouths. Learn here the duties you must perform without fail, for the prosperity of the estate and the good order of the household depend entirely upon your vigilance and industry. Remember, a well-managed farm is the foundation of a strong family and a strong Republic.
You will need:
A Sober and Frugal Character: You must not be a lover of wine or feasting. Your mind must be clear and your habits moderate.
Knowledge of All Farm Tasks: You cannot command others to do what you cannot do yourself, from plowing a straight furrow to pressing olives.
The Ability to Read, Write, and Keep Accounts: You are responsible for the master's property. You must record all goods bought, sold, and consumed.
A Firm Hand for Discipline: You must command respect, not friendship, from the hands. Idleness and theft must be dealt with swiftly.
An Industrious Wife (Vilica): She must be your partner in management, overseeing the villa, the weaving, and the kitchen while you are in the fields.
Reverence for the Household Gods and Traditions: You must see that the proper observances are made. The favor of the gods ensures a bountiful harvest.
1. Rise Before All Others
Your day begins before the sun's. You shall be the first out of bed. See that the hearth is lit and all is in order within the main house. You must set the example of industry; if the head is lazy, the body will surely follow.
2. Assign the Day's Labor at Dawn
Know what work must be done according to the weather and season. As the hands gather, assign each their task clearly and firmly. Distribute the tools for the day's work. Let no one stand idle. An idle hand is a thief of daylight.
3. Inspect All Work in Person
Do not command from the shade of a tree. Go to the fields. Observe the plowmen, the reapers, the pruners. See with your own eyes that the work is done to the master's standard. Correct any error immediately. Your presence prevents carelessness.
4. Maintain the Tools and Equipment
At the end of the day, all tools must be returned, counted, cleaned, and properly stored. A good overseer keeps his iron oiled and his wood dry. A broken plow in the planting season is a disaster born of neglect. Order repairs at once.
5. Guard the Storerooms and Rations
You shall hold the keys to the grain, wine, and oil stores. Measure out the daily rations yourself. Be fair, but never wasteful. A careful accounting of provisions prevents want during the lean months. Know what you have and what you need.
6. Tend to the Health of the Livestock
The oxen are your strongest workers. See that they are fed, watered, and cleaned before the men. Check all livestock for signs of sickness. A sick animal must be separated and treated with the proper remedies immediately. Their strength is your farm's strength.
7. Keep the Master's Accounts Faithfully
Every evening, you must record the day's expenses, the work completed, and any goods sold or bartered in your ledger. The master will demand a full accounting. Honesty in this matter is paramount; your position depends on it.
8. Be the Last to Take Your Rest
After all work is done and the hands have eaten, walk the perimeter of the villa. Check that the gates are barred, the livestock are secure in their pens, and the fires are safely banked for the night. The farm's safety rests on your final inspection.
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