Upbringing and education of Roman girls Flashcards
When a Romans child was born, who was it under the control of?
The head of the household, called the paterfamilias.
What was the complete control and power over all dependents in a paterfamilias’s family called.
patria potestas
For how long would a Roman woman spend under the authority of her paterfamilias?
her entire life
In Rome, who was responsible for deciding if a child would be accepted into the family or rejected?
The paterfamilias
What would a midwife check for when a baby was born in Rome and what would she then do ?
Physical deformities. She would then leave it at the paterfamilias’ feet.
How did the paterfamilias show that a baby had been formally accepted into the family?
He would pick up the baby left at his feet and lifted it into the air.
What would happen if the paterfamilias did not pick up the baby when it was left at his feet?
The baby would be given to the family slaves or midwife to expose.
Was exposure common in Rome?
No, though it did occur, only in a very small number of cases.
Were girls at a greater risk of being exposed than boys were in Rome?
Yes, for similar reasons as in Athens, they were a greater financial drain on family, could not work, had to be provided with an expensive dowry.
If a baby girl was welcomed into the family, what would the family put out and why?
A couch out for Juno (goddess of marriage and queen of the gods). Couch would invite the goddess into the house and she would watch over the baby in its first days when it was weakest and at greatest risk of death.
On the baby’s eighth day , what was held for the child?
A naming ceremony
How were girls named in Rome?
They were called a feminine version of their father’s clan name. If there were multiple daughters, they would all be given the same name.
What would happen during the naming ceremony?
The family would make offerings to the gods in their home and give a party for friends and relatives.
What gifts would the baby be given in the naming ceremony?
A bulla to ward off evil spirits.
What was a bulla?
A lucky charm in the Roman world.
When would a bulla be worn?
Throughout childhood and only given up when they entered adulthood, for girls this was on their wedding day
Who would take care of a young girl in Rome?
Her mother, or for more wealthy families, their household slaves.
Was it usual for Roman girls to be educated and what in?
Yes, in reading, writing, and arithmetic.
What was a litterator?
A teacher for primary-aged children in the Roman world.
Who did wealthy families send to assist with lessons and report back to the paterfamilias about the child’s progress?
A slave (usually Greek)
What is a fresco?
A painting originally done on damp plaster in which the colours become fixed as the plaster dries.
What does the ‘sappho’ fresco of the Pompeian woman depict?
A young woman holding a stylus (writing tool) to her lips. She is holding a writing board as papyrus was an expensive commodity in Rome.
What does the ‘sappho’ fresco of the Pompeian woman suggest about the woman?
That she must have been educated and is likely to have been rich. fresco was found in a large villa and she is wearing gold jewllery, a sign of wealth.
Was there a state education system in Rome?
No , roman families had to arrange education for their children. This meant that the poorest families would not have been able to educate their children at all.
If money was tight for a Roman family, which child would be educated?
the son
In addition to their basic literacy and numeracy skills, what would Roman girls have been instructed in?
Domestic tasks, including spinning wool, weaving textiles, cooking, and managing the house.
What would girls from poorer Roman families also learn?
A trade so that they could earn money.
Evidence from grave inscriptions tells us that Roman girls held what type of jobs?
Hairdressers, jewellery makers, and bakers.
What type of subjects were usually only taught to boys in Rome?
Advanced subjects, including history, geometry, music, philosophy, law and, most importantly , rhetoric.
What was rhetoric?
The art of public speaking.
What is the name of one Roman woman that is evidence that there were some Roman women accomplished in skills usually only taught to boys.
Maesia, famous for having successfully defended herself in the law courts.
Was Maesia found not guilty?
Yes, she was found not guilty by a huge majority of votes.
What does the fact that Maesia successfully defended herself in the law courts show?
That she must have been an impressive speaker. It was highly unlikely that she would have been able to win her case if she had not been educated in the art of rhetoric.
What was Maesia nicknamed and what does this show?
She was nicknamed ‘Androgyne’ because she was though to have the spirit of a man. Therefore it seems that Maesia was an exception to being educated in rhetoric.
