Roman paterfamilias Flashcards
What is the paterfamilias?
Head and eldest male of the household
What were the paterfamilias jobs?
Organising weddings, education, prayer, clients, money, slaves, inspecting a new-born baby, family welfare
What could a paterfamilias do if he was wealthy enough?
Become a patron to clients
What roles did a client have?
Appear at patrons house at dawn every morning, accompany him to the forum or baths. They acted as their patron’s supporters and would have to vote for him if their client ran for political office
What power did the paterfamilias have in his family?
He had legal power over his entire household this included power of life and death but this usually only mattered for new-born babies - deciding whether a baby was legitimate or not
What was a paedagogus?
An educated slave who acted as a tutor
What was a laraium?
The family shrine where the spirits of the family ancestors, the lares and the spirits of the larder - penates, would be worshipped
What religious power and roles did the paterfamilias hold?
The paterfamilias would lead family prayer and offerings and he would also oversee suitable offerings to gods at important times like birthdays, marriage or funerals
What would clients get in return for serving their patron?
A small amount of money or food each day, maybe a business opportunity. There were no welfare benefits so clients depended alot on patrons for survival.
Some lucky clients were even invited to dine with their patrons in the evening sometimes.
