Roman Women In The Middle Ages Research Paper

During early civilization, there were limited roles for women in society. Women were only mothers and wives, their lives consisted of taking care of their children and the household. They were not even considered to be citizens. As time past and civilizations progressed women became more active in society. By the Middle Ages, women proved to be so much more than the limited roles they previously held. Women such as Hadewijch of Brabant, St. Clare of Assisi and Lady Balthild proved that women had more to offer society than bearing children and keeping the household.

One role that women of the Middle Ages took on was that of a writer. During this time there was an ample amount of religious work being written for or by women (p 240). Hadewijch of Brabant was one of the many female writers. She wrote letters, poems and visions that all centered around love, or more
These differences were evident mostly in the area of material objects. In 195 B.C.E. the Oppian Law was passed, this law restricted the amount of finery women could wear as well as their carriage usage during wartime (p 110). The Roman Republic women were outraged and fought to have the law thrown out. According to the women, “ elegance of appearance, adornment, apparel -- these are the woman’s badge of honor; in these they rejoice and take delight” (p 113). Without their material possessions the Roman felt as less than women, however women like St. Clare of Assisi had no material possessions. In the Monastery of San Damiano, St. Clare devoted her life to the holy Father, she was a handmaid of Christ. St. Clare and her sisters worked hard daily living in poverty and deprivation, but these trails were great delights for them (p 229). Unlike the Roman Republic women before them, these women were not defined by their possession, but rather the work they were doing for