Women’s Roles in the Roman Republic
By Elizabeth Pirani
Women in our society today had very different roles than the women in the Roman Republic. Young women began to prepare for their first wedding – arranged of course - at the young age of twelve to a man who was probably about fourteen years old. (Balsdon, 173) Once the woman was married, she became sole property of her husband. If he wished, he could sell her into slavery or get a divorce with her easily. If a divorce was granted, a women became property of her father once again, and she never again saw any children that she might have had through that marriage. Because the life expectancy in ancient Rome was very low, the main job of the woman was to continuously have children. If the child was indeed alive, it was the role of the father to decide if he wanted to recognize the child into the new family. (Mason) Even though it may seem as if the only role of Roman women was to be a good wife and have children, they also had the task of raising the children – both boys and girls. In fact, the wives spent much of their time teaching the boys politics as they grew older. The young girls were taught by their mothers simple household chores so that they would be able to run a house and teach their own children that they would soon carry. Young girls did not receive high educations because women were not allowed to become too educated. (Mason) The recreational activities that women could participate in were always under the constant supervision of their fathers or husbands. Unlike Greek women, the Roman women were allowed to attend dinner parties and other social gatherings, but they were forbidden to drink wine, for this was believed to cause women to become adulteresses. Many fathers and husbands would kill their wives/daughters if they were ever caught with such a drink. Women were also allowed to attend public bathes, gladiator events, and religious festivals. They were not, however, allowed to be an actor in an amphitheatre play. (Mason) Ancient Roman women also did not have a major role in government and their own economic finances. They were not allowed to vote or participate in any political activities, and they weren’t allowed to handle their own finances…even if they were widowed! A man must be their “guardian/financial advisor” whether it be a father, husband, etc. (Mason) Our society has greatly changed since the Roman Republic and women definitely have more rights and freedoms such as voting, handling their finances, and virtually becoming whatever they want to become. Even though the Roman women had very few rights and privileges, they were able to hold strong, steady, and ready for whatever challenges may come their way.
By Elizabeth Pirani
Women in our society today had very different roles than the women in the Roman Republic. Young women began to prepare for their first wedding – arranged of course - at the young age of twelve to a man who was probably about fourteen years old. (Balsdon, 173) Once the woman was married, she became sole property of her husband. If he wished, he could sell her into slavery or get a divorce with her easily. If a divorce was granted, a women became property of her father once again, and she never again saw any children that she might have had through that marriage. Because the life expectancy in ancient Rome was very low, the main job of the woman was to continuously have children. If the child was indeed alive, it was the role of the father to decide if he wanted to recognize the child into the new family. (Mason)
Even though it may seem as if the only role of Roman women was to be a good wife and have children, they also had the task of raising the children – both boys and girls. In fact, the wives spent much of their time teaching the boys politics as they grew older. The young girls were taught by their mothers simple household chores so that they would be able to run a house and teach their own children that they would soon carry. Young girls did not receive high educations because women were not allowed to become too educated. (Mason)
The recreational activities that women could participate in were always under the constant supervision of their fathers or husbands. Unlike Greek women, the Roman women were allowed to attend dinner parties and other social gatherings, but they were forbidden to drink wine, for this was believed to cause women to become adulteresses. Many fathers and husbands would kill their wives/daughters if they were ever caught with such a drink. Women were also allowed to attend public bathes, gladiator events, and religious festivals. They were not, however, allowed to be an actor in an amphitheatre play. (Mason)
Ancient Roman women also did not have a major role in government and their own economic finances. They were not allowed to vote or participate in any political activities, and they weren’t allowed to handle their own finances…even if they were widowed! A man must be their “guardian/financial advisor” whether it be a father, husband, etc. (Mason)
Our society has greatly changed since the Roman Republic and women definitely have more rights and freedoms such as voting, handling their finances, and virtually becoming whatever they want to become. Even though the Roman women had very few rights and privileges, they were able to hold strong, steady, and ready for whatever challenges may come their way.
Works Cited (Including Pictures)
"Ancient Rome History Resources." Welcome to Hadrians. 3 Dec 2008 <http://www.hadrians.com/images/graphics/rome/emperors/roman_woman_in_toga.gif>.
Balsdon, J.P.V.D. Roman Women: Their History And Habits. New York City: The John Day Company, 1962
Crouse, J. "Social Class/Role of Women." Ancient Rome. 31 May 2007. 3 Dec 2008 <http://www.topsfieldschools.org/PROCTOR/P_SS/Ancient%20Rome/roman-woman.jpg>.
Mason, Moya. "Ancient Roman Women: A Look At Their Lives." 3 Dec 2008 http://www.moyak.com/researcher/resume/papers/roman_women.html.