Primary Source Analyses

Roman Women

Rome was patriarchalWomen could not vote or hold public

officeCould own property, but needed a male

guardian to sell itChildren belonged to the father-received

feminine form of father’s nameLaw and medical writers stress women’s

inferiority and subordination to men

Historical Background

Some women could read and write, but little has been preserved

During the late Republic and early Empire, women gained some more control over their affairs due to loss of men in war

Elite women managed urban and rural households

Non-elite women could own/manage small shops

Female slaves were in domestic service or agricultural work

Historical Background

Primary Source AnalysisVocabulary

Canusian Sheep-Sheep from Canusiam with dark wool

Di Manes- Spirits of the dead Falernian vineyards-

Vineyards on Mt Falernus that produce a fine wine

Guardianship-management of the affairs of a person who is legally unable to do so on their own

Matron-an elite adult woman Proscription-during civil

wars, a way to get rid of political enemies and take their property

Triumvirs-Three powerful individuals dominating Rome

I. Which documents are similar? Explain the similarity.

II. Which of the documents would you accept as most accurately portraying Roman women in the classical period? Why?

III. Which docs are the least accurate? Why?

IV. Choose 4 documents. For what purpose was each document written?

V. How do you explain the differing attitudes about Roman women in the docs?

What are the similarities and differences in women status in the Roman world (according to the sources) and the characteristics of Chinese women according to Ban Zhao?

Comparing Women’s Status

PatriarchyMarried women could own land.Women did have jobs in areas such as

textile production, temple dancers, wage labor, and court attendants.

Women could be educated. They were not, however, allowed to be educated in religious practices or read any sacred texts.

Women in Mauryan Empire

Over the duration of the Gupta Empire, there was a decline of the status of women.

Women were married at 6 or 7 years old to ensure virginity and chastity.

Women were not allowed to own property, and anything that she did own could be considered the property of her husband and father.

Women in the Gupta Empire