In ancient times, the roles of women were very different in Rome and Greece. The quote shows that Roman women, known as matrons, had a strong position in their homes. They were in charge of household affairs, which means they managed everything that happened inside the house, like food, children, and servants. Their husbands took care of business and dealings outside the home, which allowed the wives to focus on being the boss of the household.
In contrast, Greek women in the time of Pericles had a much different life. They were often not allowed to leave their homes and didn't have the same level of control over their households. Greek women were generally expected to stay out of public life and were not seen as equals to men. They had limited rights and often depended on their fathers or husbands for support.
So, the author is right! Roman women had more freedom and power in their own homes compared to Greek women. They played an important role in society by taking care of their families and managing the household, while Greek women had fewer opportunities and responsibilities outside the home. This shows how different their lives were in these two great civilizations!