Roman Cultural Context Flashcards
Paterfamilias
The male head of a Roman household.
Patria Potestas
The legal power the Paterfamilias exercised over his wife, children/descendants, slaves, and even freedmen.
Mos Maiorum
Lit. “ancestral custom”, the unwritten social code of ancient Rome. Not officially a part of law but informed it.
Familia
The Roman household.
Manus
The legal power of the husband over his wife, if their marriage was cum manu.
Cum manu
A marriage where the legal power over the wife is transferred to the husband.
Sine manu
A marriage where the legal power over the wife remains with her father.
Julian Laws/Leges Iuliae
18 BC, Augustan laws passed making adultery illegal and (essentially) requiring all citizens to marry, or remarry. Children were encouraged by penalising celibacy.
Virtus
Roman virtue of masculinity/masculine traits (e.g. courage, valour, excellence, and worth). Typically only applicable to those taking part in the Cursus Honorum.
Pudicitia
Roman sexual virtue of chastity and modesty. Avoiding adultery and immodest behaviour, and dressing appropriately. (Applied to both men and women)
Cursus Honorum
The sequential order of public offices held by aspiring Roman politicians. Included both military and political posts.
Stola
Roman women’s clothes. In Augustan Rome wearing stolae had become less popular, so to encourage their use they were made a signifier of a married woman.
Infamis
Having lost some or all social or legal reputation. In Roman law, exclusion from benefits of Roman citizenship as a penalty.
Role of women in Ancient Rome
Expected to embody Pudicitia well, marrying young as virgins and not committing adultery.
Also, dressing modestly both in coverage, and not wearing a lot of jewellery to display wealth. Expected to be frugal with money, and capable of managing business interests for the Familia.
Allowed outside more often, but generally still expected to spend most of their time indoors, and would be escorted by a slave/slaves when out.
Role of men in Ancient Rome
Participating in the Cursus Honorum and general political life was very important, and gaining the virtue of Virtus by doing so.
Expected to be skilled in rhetoric/public speaking, as this afforded someone not only political success, but generally greater Auctoritas (power through influence, not legal position). Also the ability to command troops on a battlefield, plead legal cases, etc.
