Marriage and Women’s Roles in Ancient Greece and Rome
Marriage in Ancient Greece and Rome
The word “marriage” has its roots in the Latin word *mater* (mother). In ancient Rome, men considered marriage a necessary evil. Unmarried men without children were frowned upon by society, and during the reign of Emperor Augustus, they even had to pay a special tax.
Marriages were arranged, and the woman had no say in the matter. These unions were based on family alliances. Women were married very young, often at eleven or twelve years old, as they were considered to be at their most fertile. Boys could marry at fourteen but usually did not until their thirties.
Marriage Rituals
Marriage was a private contract between families to ensure legitimate children who would inherit the family name and fortune.
In Greece, the ritual lasted three days:
- Day 1: Preparation of the bride.
- Day 2: The wedding contract was signed, followed by a banquet. In the evening, a procession led the bride to her future husband’s house.
- Day 3: Gifts were offered.
Types of Marriage in Rome
In Rome, there were two main types of marriage:
- Cum manu: The wife was under the authority of her husband and became part of his family, losing the right to her own property.
- Sine manu: The wife remained under the authority of her father and could dispose of her own property.
Women in Ancient Greece and Rome
In Greece, a wife was called *gyne*. In Rome, a married woman was called *uxor* until she had a child, after which she was called *mater*. The marriage bed was called the *thalamus*.
Roman Laws on Marriage
Roman law, known as *jus connubium*, regulated marriage and established several conditions:
- The contracting parties had to be Roman citizens. Barbarians and slaves could not legally marry. Slaves entered into a union called *contubernium*.
- They had to belong to the same social class, although eventually, marriages between patricians and plebeians were allowed.
- The minimum age for marriage was 12 for women and 14-16 for men.
- The consent of the parents and the spouses was required.
Daily Life of Married Women
Gyne (Greek Women)
Wealthy Greek women were responsible for the care of children and supervising the work of slaves. This included tasks such as fetching water, preparing food, and washing clothes. They also had to take care of their physical appearance and be industrious, engaging in domestic tasks, especially spinning and weaving.
This work was economically important in less fortunate families. Wool was the most commonly used raw material. The transformation of wool into fabric was a long process: first, the fleece was cleaned and dyed, then it was spun using a distaff and spindle, and finally, it was woven on a vertical loom. Linen was also used.
Mater (Roman Women)
Roman women also supervised domestic slaves. Only in very ancient times did they dedicate themselves to spinning and weaving. Instead, they engaged in dyeing workshops and enjoyed embroidering fabrics.
Roman women enjoyed greater freedom than their Greek counterparts. They could attend public events and go shopping. They were very concerned about their physical appearance, and a slave called an *ornatrix* helped them with their hair.
Limitations on Women
- At banquets, women sat at their husband’s feet.
- They could not drink wine that was not mixed with water and honey. The husband, as master, had possession of the cellar keys and could punish his wife if they were lost.
- Women had to be models of austerity, hard work, and honesty. If a woman was unfaithful, her husband could legally kill her.
- The conception and gestation of children were subject to the husband’s will. He could decide to terminate his wife’s pregnancy, and if he suspected she intended to do so without his consent, he could appoint a guardian to monitor her and prevent an abortion.