T]he position of the Roman matron was quite different from that of the Greek matron in the time of Pericles. The Roman matron was mistress in her

Question

own household.As the husband took charge of all external transactions, so the wife was supreme in household arrangements.”
—James Donaldson, Woman; Her Position and Influence inAncient Greece and Rome
Based on your knowledge of the role of women in the Roman republic, provide evidence to prove the author’s claim that the position of Roman women was
different from that of Greek women.

Answer 1

There are several pieces of evidence that support the claim that the position of Roman women was different from that of Greek women:

1) Legal status: In Rome, women had greater legal rights and autonomy compared to their Greek counterparts. Roman women could own property, inherit and dispose of wealth, and enter into legal contracts. In contrast, Greek women had limited legal rights and were considered the property of their male guardians, such as their fathers or husbands.

2) Social status: Roman women held a higher social status and had more opportunities for education and intellectual pursuits. Wealthy Roman women could receive an education in literature, philosophy, and rhetoric, and could participate in public life to some extent. Greek women, on the other hand, were mostly confined to the domestic sphere and were not encouraged to pursue intellectual or political ambitions.

3) Participation in public life: Roman women had a greater degree of involvement in public affairs compared to Greek women. While Roman men were the ones who held political power, Roman women could exert influence on political decisions through their relationships and social connections. Some Roman empresses, like Livia and Agrippina, were known to wield considerable political power. In Greece, women were largely excluded from political life and were not allowed to participate in decision-making processes.

4) Divorce and remarriage: Roman women had more freedom when it came to divorce and remarriage. They could initiate divorce and remarry without significant social consequences, as long as they followed certain legal procedures. Greek women, in contrast, had limited options for divorce and were often stigmatized if they did so.

Overall, these examples demonstrate that the position of Roman women was indeed different from that of Greek women, with Roman women having more legal rights, social mobility, and participation in public life.