Archive for February 2017

Dowry The provision of dowry was basically a contribution, customary though not compulsory, from the wife’s family to the expenses of the household of the husband. It was also one of the mechanisms by which Roman families, like those in many other pre-industrial societies, maintained their social status relative to . . . Read more

Sexual Offences Under the Republic, although some attempt was made to protect women against unwelcome sexual approaches, the law for the most part did not concern itself with the sexual activities of consenting individuals; most undesirable behaviour was dealt with, if at all, within the family. Things were very different . . . Read more

The Emancipation of Roman Women The title of this chapter is ambiguous. The question with which it will mainly be concerned is whether Roman women were ‘emancipated’ in the sense of possessing a notably high degree of economic and social independence and self-determination. A distinct but related question is whether . . . Read more

The Guardianship of Women With a few exceptions, all Roman women were for their entire lives subject to some degree of limitation on their capacity for independent legal action. Authority to act must either be obtained from, or was vested in, a man—father, husband or guardian (tutor). Until the time . . . Read more