How were women treated in ancient rome?

Answer 1

I'm actually doing an essay about that now... Here's one point: From birth, a womans Father had rights over her, until he died. Once he died, the power was handed to a close male relative, for example an uncle. The only way to escape a father's authority was to marry in manus, which means that all power was handed to the husband. Their husband could kill them as punishment for adultery or drinking (drinking had religious connotations, and was only permitted to men). "Egnatius Metellus ... took a cudgel and beat his wife to death because she had drunk some wine. Not only did no one charge him with a crime, but no one even blamed him. Everyone considered this an excellent example of one who had justly paid the penalty for violating the laws of sobriety. Indeed, any woman who immoderately seeks the use of wine closes the door on all virtues and opens it to vices. To this we should add the case of Publius Sempronius Sophus who disgraced his wife with divorce merely because she dared attend the games without his knowledge. And so, long ago, when the misdeeds of women were thus forestalled, their minds stayed far from wrongdoing " Valerius Maximus, Memorable Deeds and Sayings, 6.3.9-12. Quoted in Diotima. This was all part of the view that women were 'congenitally weak and frivolous by the nature of their sex'. Women were seen as inferior because Rome was male dominated - everyone in power was male, and there was actually more men in society than women. It has been suggested that this was a result of two different societal norms - women dying in childbirth (a common occurrence), and female babies being abandoned because they were of little benefit to the family. Some of these abandoned babies were saved, while other died. Women had a shorter average lifespan, which would have contributed to the view that they were weak and worthless. The worst thing about it is they had no chances to do anything about it; they couldn't hold positions of power, and were punished for what was seen as inappropriate behaviour. They couldn't even own property, unless they were a widow. A widow could take charge of her husband's estate if she had married in manus. Due to women's shorter average lifespan, it was uncommon for a first wife to outlive her husband.

Answer 2

The women in ancient Rome were limited in the things that they did because of social custom. In the ancient world, Rome in particular, femininity was highly regarded by both men and women. There were certain activities that were not appropriate for women and women gladly stayed away from them. The few women who overstepped their position (in Roman eyes) were severely criticized.

Answer 3

Women are expected to run the household-cook food, watch the children while the husband was at work, clean, etc. They wake up as early as the husbands and start to work.

Rich women usually planned parties while their husbands were at work. They get their slaves to make dinner, fix their hair, do makeup, and make their clothes look beautiful. Slaves clean the house for women while they relax.

Answer 4

Not like today, they couldn't vote and were property of their husband. Most of the time, they stayed at home or would meet up with friends in the baths or forum.

Answer 5

Women could not hold office or play an official role in politics.Roman women where not allowed to own property or control their own finances.