Paterfamilias and the Roman Family Structure
In ancient Rome, the family structure was patriarchal, with the father (paterfamilias) having absolute authority over the household. Women, particularly those who were married, were considered part of their father’s or husband’s legal domain. A woman's status was directly connected to her relationship to the male figures in her life. The paterfamilias had the power to make legal decisions on behalf of his wife and children, including decisions about marriage, property, and even life and death in some cases.
However, Roman women were not entirely powerless. They could hold a degree of influence, especially in matters of family and domestic life. Despite this, the overall legal system of Rome gave women fewer rights than men, particularly regarding political and legal participation.
Marriage and Property Rights
Roman women could marry, but their legal status in marriage varied based on the type of marriage. In the most common type, the manus marriage, a woman passed into the authority of her husband, losing her legal independence. In the free marriage (sine manu), a woman remained under the legal authority of her father even after marriage.
Interestingly, women had the right to inherit property, particularly in free marriage, where they could maintain control over their dowries and sometimes even accumulate wealth. Widows could also inherit property, and Roman law ensured that they had the right to manage their deceased husband’s estate. In contrast, women in manus marriages were less likely to control property independently. shutdown123