Roman Household Flashcards
What was life expectancy at birth?
20 - 30 years
High infant mortality in Rome
About a third of infants die in 1st year of life. About half of infants live to age 5. After age 5, life expectancy goes way up
Paterfamilias
Male head of the house. Has legal rights over his descendants and property of the household. Legally independent. Materfamilias used for a married woman, but does not imply legal rights
Patriapotestas- power
of the Paterfamilias
Romulus granted to the Roman father absolute power over his son, and this power was valid until the father’s death.
Patriapotestas
Extends over descendants, wife (if she is in manus), slaves. Controls all finances and property. Someone under patriapotestas cannot sign a legal agreement. Power of life and death (at least theoretically)
Exposure: abandoning a newborn to die or be taken by others
Probably certain expected places. Foundlings may be raised as slaves. Poverty as motivator. Law of 374 forbids exposure
After a paterfamilias dies
Sons and daughters all become sui juris (“in their own right”). Adult sons become a paterfamilias themselves. All females and pre-adult sons have a legal guardian (called a tutor) sui iuris and sui juris are both fine as spelling
Familia– “household” People under the potestas of the
paterfamilias
Descendants of paterfamilias (head of the household). Slaves. Property. But not usually the wife (see types of marriage). Often used particularly to refer to the slaves
Domus
Members of the household. Nuclear family plus relatives, slaves, other household members. And the physical house too
Roman women
Citizenship. No vote. Can own property. Need a legal guardian
To make a valid Roman marriage
Intent. Conubium: legal ability to marry a Roman citizen. Old enough, Approx 12 for girls, Approx 14 for boys. Law actually says viripotens. Not too closely related. A few potential class barriers
Ways to show intent
Ceremony, Witnesses, Dowry, Cohabitation
Age at marriage
Women: mostly late teens and early 20s (from tombstone study). Men: late 20s (wealthier
classes, anyhow)
Manus
manus = hand. The power of a husband over a wife. Wife becomes part of husband’s family. Her dowry belongs to him. She would inherit from him like a daughter. Husband does not have power of life and death. Divorce is difficult
Without manus
Wife remains part of father’s family. Her dowry belongs to her family, though husband administers. Separate finances from husband. Cannot inherit from husband. Dowry goes to children on her death. Can initiate divorce. Worships her father’s household gods
