Read the quote about women in Roman society.
“[T]he position of the Roman matron was quite different from that of the Greek matron in the time of Pericles. The Roman matron was mistress in her own household. As the husband took charge of all external transactions, so the wife was supreme in household arrangements.”
—James Donaldson, Woman; Her Position and Influence in Ancient Greece and Rome
Based on your knowledge of the role of women in the Roman republic, provide evidence to prove the author’s claim that the position of Roman women was different from that of Greek women.
(4 points)
One piece of evidence to support the author's claim is the concept of pater familias in Roman society. The pater familias, or male head of the household, held absolute authority over his family, including his wife. However, within the household, the Roman matron had significant power and influence over daily affairs. She managed the household finances, oversaw the education of children, and supervised slaves and other household staff. This level of autonomy and responsibility within the household was not typically seen in Greek society, where women had a more restricted role primarily focused on child-rearing and domestic tasks.
Another piece of evidence is the legal status of women in Rome. Roman women had certain legal rights, such as the ability to own and inherit property, make contracts, and have legal guardianship over their children. While these rights were limited compared to those of Roman men, they still represented a higher level of legal autonomy than women in ancient Greece, who had little to no legal standing or rights.
Additionally, Roman women had access to education, particularly in the upper classes. Although the education provided to girls was often focused on domestic skills and social etiquette, some women had the opportunity to receive a more extensive education in fields such as literature, philosophy, and rhetoric. In contrast, Greek women generally had very limited access to formal education and were expected to focus solely on their domestic roles.
Overall, the combination of the Roman matron's authority within the household, legal rights, and educational opportunities indicates a higher position and level of influence for Roman women compared to their Greek counterparts.