Roman woman

The Roman woman ( mulier ) is traditionally, i.e. according to the Roman religion, under the dependence of his/her father ( Lord's Prayer familias ) then of her husband. A Matrone is a Roman citizen married, while an old woman who cannot have any more of child is called anus . However, when it had the will of it and the possibility these women could émanciper. By doing this it gave up the hearth and the protection of the specific gods to his families (Lares, geniuses).

Place in the company

The Roman habit gave originally the same statute to the women that of the children, they were subjected to the Pater familias that he is father or husband, in the same way as a child. They were intended to be woman and mother. This framework was, in fact, monk. To leave this framework, such as for example making an adultery, it was to revolt against the gods of the hearth. Once widowed or divorced, the woman returned in the residence of the father always to honor the gods with the hearth. On the assumption that the woman had or chose to remain alone, it did not depend any more of the gods on the hearth and consequently could make to the same things only one free man.

The women, as in many civilizations, politically minor and are excluded from the majority of the rights. And Roman allows nevertheless to be selected like Vestale, to take part in certain traditional worships and to contract the legal marriage. Certain aspects of the Roman tradition grant rights to them which the women do not have in other cultures:

  • their testimony is admissible in front of a court (except on behalf of the courtesans, venal by definition),
  • they can inherit with whole share
  • they have right like the men to the funeral praise at the time of their funeral, tradition that Tite-Live makes go up at the time of the bag of Rome by the Gallic ones (390 av. J. - C.), when the Roman ladies had offered their jewels to finance the ransom required by the Gallic ones.
Lastly, according to a tradition that the Romans made go up with the Enlèvement of Sabines, the Romans are exempted of any house work or agricultural, except spinning wool and raising the children.

Marriage

See also: Marriage in ancient Rome

There existed two forms of marriage, the ritual, official marriage because crowned and another more popular, which allowed the divorce.

At richest, the marriage was in general arranged for company names and economic. The girls were married very young, between 12 and 14 years. The husband, supposed to take care of his wife was in general a little older and of a social condition equal or higher than that of the wife. With their marriage, they did not change a gentilice. In public, the Romans tried to incarnate beauty and dignity. The monogamy was of rule.

Ornaments

Clothing

See also: Costume of ancient Rome

  • the tunic, Clothing out of wool, carried under the stola, it is composed of two fabric parts and is generally long.
  • the stola, the Stola is draped around the shoulders, over the tunic
  • the palla, the palla is draped on the stola, so as to cover the shoulders and sometimes the head
  • the miter ( will mitra ) is in the beginning a coloured scarf which one rolls up around the hair.
  • the palladium is fabrics folded which forms a bonnet
  • the reticulum is a Résille
  • the tutulus is a conical wool hat whose a veil
  • the strophium hangs is a belt related to the chest.
  • the cycled is a formal robe whose bottom is embroidered of gold
  • the coa vestis is vétement transparent a range by the dancers
  • the ricinium is a cap of mourning that one folds back on the head

Jewels

the Roman women carried collars and earrings out of gold as well as bracelets and rings.

Hairstyle

The hairstyles change according to the times but the hair is generally rolled up in chignons and is accompanied by braids or loops.

Leisures

Particular women

Vestals

Certain girls of the aristocracy were intended to become Vestale. They were selected for this role at the 6 years age and enjoyed many privileges attached to their load. Maintained with the expenses the State, they were freed from the paternal authority.

Matrons

See also: Matron

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