Question

“[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 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 in Ancient 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. (4 points) put in own words

Answer 1

The author’s claim that Roman women had a different status compared to their Greek counterparts can be supported by several key points:

1. Household Authority: In Roman society, women, particularly those of higher social status, had significant control over household affairs. They were responsible for managing the home, overseeing domestic slaves, and making decisions related to family life. This contrasts with Greek women, especially in Athens, who were often relegated to a more subordinate role and had little public authority.

2. Legal Rights: Roman women had certain legal rights that enabled them to own property, inherit, and engage in contracts, albeit under the authority of their male guardians. Greek women, particularly in conservative city-states like Athens, had very limited legal rights and were expected to remain primarily within the domestic sphere.

3. Social Status and Public Life: While Greek women were generally excluded from social and political life, Roman women were sometimes able to participate in social events and had a more visible role in public celebrations and funerals. This allowed them to exert influence in a way that Greek women typically could not.

4. Marriage Customs: Roman marriage customs allowed for greater autonomy; women could be married in a way that granted them more independence, such as in "sine manu" marriages, which meant they remained under their father's authority rather than becoming subordinate to their husbands. In contrast, Greek marriages often resulted in a complete transfer of authority from the father to the husband.

These points illustrate that Roman women generally enjoyed a higher status and more control within their households compared to their Greek counterparts, confirming the author’s assertion about the differences in their positions.