Women

Question 1

What were some responsibilities of the Roman Matron?

Answer 1

• Manage household
• Raise Children
• Be “Pudicitia” (modesty)

Question 2

Who was an Ideal Matron in Ancient Rome?

Answer 2

• Livia Drusilla (3rd wife of Augustus)

Question 3

What was the typical age of married women? and for the groom?

Answer 3

• mid to late teens

- early 20’s

Question 4

Why were arranged marriages a thing?

Answer 4

• They were used for political alliances and a successful marriage meant a good partnership

Question 5

Who were prohibited from marriage?

Answer 5

• Soldiers, citizens with slaves and freedmen

Question 6

What are the different way to get married in Ancient Rome? and in what period were they common?

Answer 6

• Manus marriage (common in Republican Period)

- Free marriage (common in the Imperial Period)

Question 7

What was the Manus Marriage? and what was Coemptio and Usus?

Answer 7

• Power of the husband over his wife, from hand of father to husband
• Coemptio: marriage by symbolic sale
• Usus: common-law marriage (one uninterrupted year of cohabitation

Question 8

What were some specifics about Roman Marriage Ceremony I?

Answer 8

• Brides appearance
• Unveiling to husband and family
• Joining of right hands and contracts were signing

Question 9

What were some specifics about Roman Marriage Ceremony ll?

Answer 9

• Led by children and Torchbearers

- Throwing of nuts

Question 10

What were some reasons that a couple would divorce in Rome? and was this good reputation?

Answer 10

• Infertility and personal disagreements

- It was an informal affair, people would start gossiping about you

Question 11

What were some of the women’s household chores? what did the wife make at home? and What does “lanam fecit” mean?

Answer 11

• Manage Expenses, Children and Slaves
• Wool
• She made wool

Question 12

What were some working positions for Women?

Answer 12

• Hairdressers, medical practitioners, business and commerce, brickyard owners