Women In Ancient Rome

Roman Women and Wives in Ancient Rome

The ancient Roman world was vastly different from the world we live in today; the advancements of technology and the modern buildings are two huge improvements we hold over the ancient Romans. With that being said, one of the biggest differences is how we view women today versus how they viewed them thousands of years ago in Rome. Women were not allowed to do many things, including holding any position of authority. However, that is not to confuse that with thinking that Roman women were not respected. It is actually quite the opposite, Roman women were often praised for their chaste modesty, supporting their husbands, and were among the most respected group of people in Ancient Rome. Another big difference
in comparison of women today versus ancient Rome was that, for example, Roman women were considered to be property of the paterfamilias; this would first be her father, then would become her husband after marriage. Roman marriage plays a pivotal role in the life of a woman. Typically, in her early teens, a young woman will marry for the first time, legally becoming the “property” of her husband. There are two types of marriages in ancient Rome; a girl can either choose to marry in a manus marriage or a sine manu- a manus being a marriage where the wife permanently leaves the father’s family, and a sine manu being a marriage where the wife only temporarily enters the husband’s familia. In a sine manu marriage, the wife marries into the husband’s family, but only remains there until the marriage ends, whether from divorce or death. In a manus marriage, the wife would give the husband her dowry; it would technically then become the husband’s property, but would really still be the wife’s to use. “If property has been valued and handed over as a dowry, although it remains in the wife’s use, ownership should be seen to have passed to the husband”. (RSH 3.8) This seemed to be a topic of interest, as many people were documented on it; another reads “Although a dowry is in the estate of the husband, nevertheless it belongs to the wife”. (RSH 3.8) There are some big differences between the ancient Roman marriage and the modern marriage. In the modern world, women are viewed as equals in every way. Women can hold the same offices that men can, and women can make the same salary as a man. Also, women are not considered “property” to their family. In marriage, a woman takes a man’s name, but is also still connected to her family. Also, a woman doesn’t give a dowry to her husband. In fact, if there were a divorce, women are likely to receive money from the ex-husband. In the modern world, men own no part of a woman.
Whereas, in ancient Rome, whether in marriage or not, women were always thought to be “property” of a man.
However, while they are technically deemed “property”, women are among the most respected people in ancient Rome. Women were often praised for their faithfulness and their hard-work in the household. But, that is primarily the only work a woman could do. Women couldn’t hold offices; their primary job was to care for their husband and their children. With that being said, when they cared for their husband, they got praised. Pliny stated in a letter to his wife’s aunt, “She is extremely clever and a model of modest living” (RSH 3.13). He was talking of course, about his new wife, who he was praising for being a loving, helpful
wife.
It wasn’t always praise, however, sometimes it was more negative.
It was often something we now call “throwing shade”. For instance, Pliny, after learning of his wife’s miscarriage, wrote to the wife’s grandfather about the mistakes his wife had made. Pliny wrote- “In her girlish way she did not know she was pregnant, and so didn’t do what pregnant women are supposed to do to protect the unborn child, and did things she shouldn’t have done” (RSH 3.15). It is almost as if the men in the Roman civilization placed sole blame on the women when anything went wrong. But, while they were angry at the time, the men did not stay angry for long, as they eventually went back to praising their women; they showed the utmost respect. Pliny himself, even said in another quote, “Your wife adds to your fame and glory. For who could be more respected or more traditional than her?” (RSH 1.8). Women were arguably even more respected after death. There are many sources depicting this very
idea.
In fact, often when women passed away, their husband would write for the burial. In one case, one burial read “Here is buried Amymone, of Marcus, best and most beautiful, a worker-in-wool, devoted, modest, frugal, chaste, a stay-at-home”. (RSH 3.28) This was a fairly common occurrence, as another read “Sacred to the spirits of the deceased. To the memory of Iulia Rogata, wife; she always enjoyed one mind, one opinion with me for 40 years; she lived 65 years, may her bones rest in peace”. (RSH 3.32) So, in conclusion, Roman women were praised highly for the overwhelming support they provided for their husbands. They may not have had the rights that women do in the modern era; yet they certainly weren’t lacking respect from the men in the community, and their husbands were more than willing to praise them. All in all, women were treated with the utmost respect most of the time, and played a very pivotal role in ancient Roman culture.