Women In Ancient Rome
Roman Women and Wives in Ancient Rome
The ancient Roman world was vastly different from the world we live in today; the advancements of technology and the modern buildings are two huge improvements we hold over the ancient Romans. With that being said, one of the biggest differences is how we view women today versus how they viewed them thousands of years ago in Rome. Women were not allowed to do many things, including holding any position of authority. However, that is not to confuse that with thinking that Roman women were not respected. It is actually quite the opposite, Roman women were often praised for their chaste modesty, supporting their husbands, and were among the most respected group of people in Ancient Rome. Another big difference …show more content…
However, while they are technically deemed “property”, women are among the most respected people in ancient Rome. Women were often praised for their faithfulness and their hard-work in the household. But, that is primarily the only work a woman could do. Women couldn’t hold offices; their primary job was to care for their husband and their children. With that being said, when they cared for their husband, they got praised. Pliny stated in a letter to his wife’s aunt, “She is extremely clever and a model of modest living” (RSH 3.13). He was talking of course, about his new wife, who he was praising for being a loving, helpful …show more content…
It was often something we now call “throwing shade”. For instance, Pliny, after learning of his wife’s miscarriage, wrote to the wife’s grandfather about the mistakes his wife had made. Pliny wrote- “In her girlish way she did not know she was pregnant, and so didn’t do what pregnant women are supposed to do to protect the unborn child, and did things she shouldn’t have done” (RSH 3.15). It is almost as if the men in the Roman civilization placed sole blame on the women when anything went wrong. But, while they were angry at the time, the men did not stay angry for long, as they eventually went back to praising their women; they showed the utmost respect. Pliny himself, even said in another quote, “Your wife adds to your fame and glory. For who could be more respected or more traditional than her?” (RSH 1.8). Women were arguably even more respected after death. There are many sources depicting this very
The ancient Roman world was vastly different from the world we live in today; the advancements of technology and the modern buildings are two huge improvements we hold over the ancient Romans. With that being said, one of the biggest differences is how we view women today versus how they viewed them thousands of years ago in Rome. Women were not allowed to do many things, including holding any position of authority. However, that is not to confuse that with thinking that Roman women were not respected. It is actually quite the opposite, Roman women were often praised for their chaste modesty, supporting their husbands, and were among the most respected group of people in Ancient Rome. Another big difference …show more content…
However, while they are technically deemed “property”, women are among the most respected people in ancient Rome. Women were often praised for their faithfulness and their hard-work in the household. But, that is primarily the only work a woman could do. Women couldn’t hold offices; their primary job was to care for their husband and their children. With that being said, when they cared for their husband, they got praised. Pliny stated in a letter to his wife’s aunt, “She is extremely clever and a model of modest living” (RSH 3.13). He was talking of course, about his new wife, who he was praising for being a loving, helpful …show more content…
It was often something we now call “throwing shade”. For instance, Pliny, after learning of his wife’s miscarriage, wrote to the wife’s grandfather about the mistakes his wife had made. Pliny wrote- “In her girlish way she did not know she was pregnant, and so didn’t do what pregnant women are supposed to do to protect the unborn child, and did things she shouldn’t have done” (RSH 3.15). It is almost as if the men in the Roman civilization placed sole blame on the women when anything went wrong. But, while they were angry at the time, the men did not stay angry for long, as they eventually went back to praising their women; they showed the utmost respect. Pliny himself, even said in another quote, “Your wife adds to your fame and glory. For who could be more respected or more traditional than her?” (RSH 1.8). Women were arguably even more respected after death. There are many sources depicting this very