The women of ancient Rome lived in a world dominated by men, but their roles and contributions were far more diverse and influential than often realized. While the public sphere was largely reserved for men, Roman women shaped their families, communities, and even the empire in subtle but powerful ways. Here are seven things you might not know abou
Roman law did not necessarily favor mothers in custody disputes. Instead, the father was usually granted custody, especially of younger children. A mother’s ability to retain custody of her children was not assured, even though she could be granted some form of visitation or rights to care for her children under specific circumstances. However, t
In ancient Roman society, family dynamics and rights, especially in the context of divorce, were structured around the authority of the father. Roman family law, known as "lex familia," placed significant power in the hands of the paterfamilias, or head of the household. The paterfamilias was typically the father, and his authority extended not onl
While some slaves were able to gain their freedom through the process of manumission, this was not a universal experience. The majority of slaves had limited opportunities to buy their freedom. Several factors influenced the chances of a slave being able to earn or purchase their freedom: Wealth and Opportunity: Not all slaves were given the ch