CLAS / HIST 4091 /5091. Roman Empire

Lecture 14. Women and Family in the High Empire

I. The Sources?

The Male Perspective: Misogyny v. Idealism

II. Demographics

A. Mortality (25 yrs life expectancy)

-At 20, 49% of females have father; 62% mother; 1% paternal grandfather

-At 20, 59% of females married; 26% have child

B. Age at Marriage

-Females 12-20; Males 20-30; patriarchal authority

III. The Law

A. Rights and Freedoms

Roman citizens, own property, free marriage, divorce, make will, inherit

B. Limitations

1. No public rights: vote, hold office, serve in army, manage property alone/suit

2. Private rights: **Patriapotestas** (the power of the father)

3. Guardianship (tutela): males manage property; right of three children

4. Augustan Legislation: Julian Law on Marriage of the Orders; Julian Law on Adultery (AD 18)

IV. Marriage

A. Requirements: Consent; Age (12 for girls; 14 for boys); Conubium (right to legitimate marriage)

B. Weddings: Dowry (insurance policy); Ceremony (flammeum)

C. Intimacy:

1. Love: Pliny to his wife Calpurnia; Plutarch Advice on Marriage

2. Sex: Birth control, Abortion, Exposure (10-20%) v. Love of Children

E. Divorce: requires only consent

V. Women and Status

A. Slaves and Freedwomen: No marriage but Contubernia

B. Commoners: Professions (artists, goldsmiths, gladiators, wetnurses, midwives, prostitutes)

C. Aristocrats: Restriction (dynastic marriages of Julia); Education

VI. Women and Power

A. Political Influence: Indirect (Arria “It doesn’t hurt Paetus”)

B. Imperial Women: Livia Augusta; Julia Domna

VII. Epitaphs and Ideals

A. Three ideals: Univira (one husband woman); marriage bond = eternal; absolute obedience

B. Epitaph of Philematium