Western Civilization I / Unit 6 WC1 0517 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Roman Women Under the Pater Familias
Captions available
The idea
Rome was patriarchal under the father of the household, yet women kept their dowries, could divorce, controlled inheritances, and as widows acted autonomously. They influenced politics from within families, and girls' education was valued. The devoted wife remained the ideal.
In practice
Traditionalists decrying loosening; texts by women survive.
Where people slip
Compare Athens, not modern law. Roman women had more standing than Athenian.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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