Roman Marriage Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is a positive aspect of Roman marriage regarding public life?
Unlike Athenian women, Roman wives were allowed out in public unaccompanied, e.g. at theatrical events.
What role did Roman wives have in managing the household?
They had a leading role in managing the household, particularly in the husband’s absence.
What value was highly regarded in Roman society?
Pudicitia (chastity) was highly valued.
How did domestic help impact Roman wives’ leisure time?
Slaves completed domestic tasks, therefore Roman wives had much leisure time.
What social activity could Roman wives participate in?
They could accompany their husbands to dinner parties, facilitating social networking.
Did some upper-class Roman women have access to education?
Yes, some upper-class women had access to education.
Could Roman wives inherit property?
Yes, they could inherit property.
What was significant about Turia’s marriage?
Turia’s marriage brought her husband and presumably her a great deal of emotional satisfaction. Some marriages were genuine love matches. She offered a divorce to her husband because of infertility, but he stayed with her.
What power did some Roman women hold?
Some women could be very powerful; for example, Sallust claims that Catiline believed Sempronia could help him overthrow the Roman state.
What religious influence did some Roman women have?
Some women had a significant religious influence, e.g. Flaminica Dialis in the worship of Jupiter. The wife of the consul was responsible for overseeing the cult of Bona Dea.
What were women not allowed to do in elections?
Not allowed to vote in elections.
What could women not hold?
Could not hold elected office.
What was the main function of women?
Her main function/purpose was to bear children, rather than enjoy herself. Childbirth could be very dangerous.
What social stigma existed around infertility?
Social stigma around infertility. Women were blamed for their infertility; men were not held responsible.
Who chose a woman’s husband?
Her pater familias chooses her husband. Patria potestas.
At what age were women typically married?
Married quite young - would not have known her husband very well. Marriages were arranged.
What could happen to women for committing adultery?
Could be punished severely for committing adultery.
What was the consequence of divorce for women?
Divorce = husbands take children. Very difficult for women to divorce.
Who were women always under the control of?
Always under the control of the man.
What were marriages used for?
Marriages were used for forging political alliances and generating money for families. People did not usually marry for love.
