Women Flashcards
Gender Equality
Women could not vote or hold political office.
Upper class women were educated the same as boys until they came of age, when they became much more focused on matronly duties.
The age of consent was 12 for girls, 14 for boys.
Marriage
A marriage was not considered to be consummated until the first child was born.
A roman marriage was entirely about procreation.
There was conventional marriage, and free marriage.
In a conventional marriage, the wife became a part of her husband’s family, leaving behind her own family.
In a free marriage, the woman maintained loyalty to her family. These marriages were popular within the elite, as they could be ended by simply separating the couple.
The Marriage Ceremony
> Romans were very superstitious- it was unlucky to marry in May, but the second half of June was very lucky.
On the evening before her marriage the bride would sacrifice her childhood toys to the lares, the family spirits.
The bride was dressed in a fire coloured veil (flammeum and dressed in simple white dress, gathered by a belt, tied in a special knot (nodus herculeus) which the groom would have to untie.
The ceremony began with a sacrifice.
After the sacrifice the tabulae nuptiales (marriage contract) was signed.
Then the pronuba took the right hands of the couple and placed them in each other. This was the most important moment of the ceremony, the silent exchange of vows between the couple.
It was then time for the wedding banquet (cena nuptialis).
After the feast the groom would pretend to steal the bride. This was done traditionally in memory of the rape of the Sabine women.
A procession would then lead the young girl to the husband’s house.
She would then be lifted over the threshold so that her feet would not touch it. She was then part of the family.
Children
Women who had more than three children were accepted as pillars of the community.
Infertile women were outcasts.
Women, with the help of slaves, raised their children.
It was not uncommon or taboo for children to be born out of wedlock.
Domestic Chores of women
Women were expected to run the entire household for their husbands.
One of the most important tasks for a woman to fulfill in the household was the spinning of wool to make clothes.
Also had to raise the children.
