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.
One major piece of evidence that supports the author's claim is the fact that Roman women held a higher status in society compared to Greek women. In ancient Rome, women were considered legal entities and had the ability to own property, manage their own finances, and even engage in business transactions. This level of autonomy was not available to Greek women during the time of Pericles, as they were largely confined to the domestic sphere and had limited rights and freedoms.
Additionally, Roman women had more control over household matters and were seen as the "mistress" of the household. This is evident through historical records, such as those of Pliny the Younger, who described how Roman women had authority over the arrangement and management of their households. Roman women often had their own staff and slaves to assist them, further solidifying their position as the primary decision-makers within their homes.
Furthermore, Roman women had the right to divorce their husbands, and their dowries remained under their control even after marriage. This contrasts with the Greek practice where dowries were controlled by the husband. This suggests that Roman women had a greater level of independence and agency in their personal lives, further substantiating the author's claim.
Overall, the evidence of women's legal rights, control over household affairs, and their ability to exercise autonomy in Roman society all supports the author's claim that the position of Roman women was indeed different from that of Greek women during the time of Pericles.