Key Terms
Paterfamilias
The male head of a Roman household; held authority over all dependents through patria potestas.
Patria potestas
"paternal power"; the legal authority of the paterfamilias over his wife, children, male-line descendants, and enslaved
Extended family under patria potestas
The patriarch's wife, children, all descendants through the male line, and enslaved household members.
Early Rome
Children educated at home. Later Rome: grammar schools enrolled boys and girls from wealthy families until approximately
Curriculum
Reading and writing Latin and Greek; arithmetic.
Toga virilis
"toga of manhood"; plain white toga donned by Roman boys around age fifteen, marking citizenship and entry into adulthoo
Roman citizenship
Conferred at birth to children of citizens or by special decree; highly coveted.
Marriage age for girls
Typically fourteen to eighteen; often to significantly older men. Younger girls were viewed as more sexually pure and ea
Most common marriage form
Wife brought a dowry that legally became her husband's property.
Lower-class women
More dependent on their husband's status.
Spinning wool
The cultural symbol of the ideal Roman woman.
Domus
A typical Roman single-family house; also refers to the family unit itself.
Atrium house
The most common Roman house type; could include two or more stories.
Clients
Less well-off Romans who relied on gifts from patrons for subsistence; traded loyalty for material support.
Insulae
Apartment complexes housing the urban poor; three to four levels; reputation for overcrowding and poor facilities.