Family Life Flashcards
Who was the paterfamilias?
The father and head of the family, this included the slaves and property of the house
What were the paterfamilias’ responsibilities?
The welfare of the family,
the education of his children,
employing a paedagogus if he had the money for it,
he would find a husband for his daughter and arrange the marriage and dowry,
the purchase of slaves
What were the religious aspects of the Paterfamilias’ job?
He would gather the household together at the family shrine (Iararium) and worship the the spirits of the family ancestors (lares),
the spirits of the larder (the penates) would also be worshiped
What was a patron?
If a paterfamilia were rich enough then he might be a patron to some clients, poorer Romans in need of money and some protection
What would being a client involve?
Appearing at the patrons side every morning at dawn,
be required to accompany him to the forum or baths,
they would support him publicly and vote for him if he ran for political office
What benefits would there be for being a client?
They could except a small amount of money or food each day,
if lucky their patron might invite them to dine with him in the evening
What was a women’s life like
Women were the right of their husband and under his control,
the quality of their lives would depend on her social status and husband
What rights did/didn’t women have?
Woman could not vote or go for public office,
she could not chose who she would marry,
she could not take her children in divorce,
she could not own slaves or property
What were a women’s responsibilities?
She would maintain the household but she was allowed to visit friends or the baths,
she would assign slaves to perform duties in the house
What would a typical slave have to do?
Cleaning, cooking, fetching water, spinning and weaving
